Gujarati-medium engineering courses find no takers as GPERI drops programme after four years of zero admissions

An ambitious effort to offer engineering education in the Gujarati language has come to an end after failing to attract a single student. The Gujarat Power Education and Research Institute (GPERI) in Mehsana, affiliated with Gujarat Technological University (GTU), will not offer Gujarati-medium Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) programmes in the 2026–27 academic session, following four consecutive years without any enrolments.

The institute had introduced Gujarati-medium courses in Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering as part of a broader initiative to promote regional languages in technical education. However, despite sustained efforts, the programme failed to attract applicants, prompting its discontinuation.

According to GTU Registrar Dr K. N. Kher, the university invested considerable resources in making technical education accessible in Gujarati, including translating engineering textbooks and developing digital learning materials. While the translated books continue to receive significant online traffic from students, that interest has not translated into admissions.

"The primary concern among students is employability. Many believe studying engineering in Gujarati could limit their career prospects, particularly in private industry where English remains the dominant language," he noted.

Education experts say the challenge extends beyond student perception. Former Gujarat University Vice-Chancellor Dr M. N. Patel pointed out that engineering education is heavily dependent on English-language resources, research papers and globally standardised technical terminology.

Although instructors often explain concepts in Gujarati during classroom teaching, many engineering terms do not have widely accepted equivalents in the regional language. As a result, students may face confusion when transitioning between Gujarati instruction and English-based textbooks, examinations or professional practice.

The experience mirrors similar challenges faced by attempts to introduce Gujarati as a medium of instruction in medical education. According to a senior official from a government medical college, a committee was constituted to explore the initiative, but the proposal saw little progress because medical terminology, largely derived from Greek and Latin, remains internationally standardised.

The development also reflects a broader shift in India's education landscape. English-medium schooling continues to expand across Gujarat, with increasing numbers of students preparing for national entrance examinations such as JEE and NEET in English. For many aspirants, proficiency in English is viewed not only as essential for securing admission to premier institutions but also for improving employment opportunities in India's increasingly globalised engineering and technology sectors.

The closure of GPERI's Gujarati-medium engineering programme highlights the growing tension between promoting education in regional languages and meeting the practical demands of higher education, research and the modern job market.