Jan. 27: Too many willing to write Java codes for software giants but none to delve deeper into Ohm’s law — like the rest of academia, that’s the unhappy future Gauhati University is staring at.

Waking up to the sharp decline in students willing to take up pure science at the under-graduate and post- graduate levels, the university will soon hold a brainstorming session to figure out a woo-back strategy.

Vice-chancellor Amarjyoti Choudhury said they are willing to take up all corrective measures to attract students to BSc and MSc courses.

“I will be holding a meeting with the principals of all city colleges to discuss the issue. Colleges will be asked to submit reports on the number of students taking admission in BSc courses in the last three years. Issues related to the syllabus of science courses in degree and postgraduate levels and the condition of library facilities will also be discussed with the principals,” Choudhury said.

The vice-chancellor rued most students are opting for job-oriented courses, leaving science classes in colleges empty. “The chances of getting a lucrative job after completing BSc and MSc are not very bright. We cannot blame students if they prefer job-oriented courses. But at the same time, we also need to create a pool of manpower with knowledge of basic sciences like physics, chemistry, biology and zoology,” he said.

Many students who have completed higher secondary in science stream have applied for admission in commerce for graduation. Even the prestigious Cotton College is witnessing a decline in the number students taking admission in BSc and MSc courses each year.

Choudhury said the university is ready to change the existing syllabus of BSc and MSc courses to make it more attractive for students.

He said the university would discuss with experts and collaborate with leading science institutions in the country to make the BSc and MSc courses job-oriented in nature.

“Poor laboratory facilities in colleges has also been identified as one of the reasons for many students not willing to pursue science stream after higher secondary level. Laboratory facility has to be improved The department of science and technology, government of India has already sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for the improvement of laboratory facility in 15 colleges affiliated to the university. In future more colleges will come under such scheme,” he said.