From major infrastructure projects to new courses, Delhi University vice-chancellor Yogesh Singh tells about what the future holds for the prestigious institution.
He reveals how DU is contemplating a fee waiver for some of the courses and how the admission process will be "smooth" this year. He also counters claims that the university has increasingly become intolerant of dissension in recent years.
What has been the biggest takeaway from the year-long centenary celebrations of the university?
We experimented with new ideas like the unique centenary chance examinations, for which around 10,000 people appeared. The Competency Enhancement Scheme will be launched in August and we will have a fee waiver scheme for students in the centenary year. Several infrastructural projects have also been undertaken by the university - new buildings for a computer centre, Delhi School of economics and Faculty of Management Studies. Work on the new academic block at the Dhaka Complex will begin soon too. We also plan a double basement parking at DSE for staff and students. DU is currently using available funds, including money from the Institute of Eminence grant. We will later take a loan from the Higher Education Financing Agency.
We will also be beginning the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) in Shyama Prasad Mukherji College for Women and Mata Sundri College for Women. For now, both ITEP and Bachelor of Elementary Education degree courses will run simultaneously.
The government recently sanctioned positions for the much-awaited faculty of technology. Please tell us about the programmes and financing mode?
The government has sanctioned 78 faculty positions and 72 non-teaching posts. Admissions will be through the Joint Entrance Examinations (JEE). The fee will definitely be on the higher side, but my plan is for students whose parental income is less than Rs 4 lakh per annum paying only 5% of the fee and those in the Rs 4-8 lakh bracket paying just 50% of the fee. We are also thinking of a scheme of reimbursing up to Rs 50,000 to each student for buying a laptop because it is essential for tech students.
Several teachers had raised concerns about certain aspects of the Four Year Undergraduate Programme.
We did not have problems implementing FYUP. One should ask students whether they are finding FYUP meaningful and useful. But the first year is too early to say. As for the choices, students were given a vast range of options. If a thousand students want to take up a particular course, colleges should offer the paper even if it means creating more sections and engaging teachers. The culture is changing and it is students who are deciding what papers and subjects they want to study.
Implementing FYUP also caused problems related to space and inadequate infrastructure in some colleges and departments.
Initially, there was talk of infrastructure constraints, but following government rules we asked colleges to remain open till 8pm. We haven't actually asked any teacher to stay in college from 8am to 8pm every day. All it means is that on some days, a teacher might have to come in earlier in the day and on some other days have their classes scheduled for later hours. We have asked colleges to pay some staff overtime. Later if the requirement arises, we can propose recruitment of additional staff. We have also asked colleges to apply for HEFA for projects to deal with the constraint of space.
Last year, several problems arose at admission time because of new processes. How will it be this year?
We have learnt from last year's experience and so I see a smoother admission process this time. The common seat allocation system introduced last year has emerged as a much better system. The admissions will begin as soon as CUET results are declared. The academic session will begin in August.
Minority colleges are having a problem with the admission process based on CUET.
Last year, we allowed interviews for the minority candidates. However, UGC has directed us to base all admissions on CUET for all candidates. Two colleges have challenged this. We will see what happens in court.
Is displacement of ad hoc teachers a big problem?
Around 2,000 teachers have been recruited in colleges and departments, but at this point, the number of ad hoc teachers who don't have jobs is perhaps 300. What is happening is that someone from college A is being appointed in college B whereas the displaced person from college B is being hired in college C. So, the "displacement" is being overcounted. There are 25 colleges where recruitment interviews haven't yet begun, but the ad hoc teachers from those colleges have got appointments in other colleges. So while in one college a teacher might have been replaced, a vacancy pool is being created elsewhere.
There is a perception DU is more intolerant now and acts quickly against students for being 'anti-establishment', whether in terms of the university or politics.
That is not the case. If you are referring to the showing of the BBC documentary on PM Modi, some of the students involved apologised and we let them go. However, one student went to court and we will file an appeal against his plea.
What about the cease-and-desist notice to former Congress president Rahul Gandhi?
It was only about the need to follow a security protocol. People like him under Z category security require the local administration to be informed of their presence. We wanted to make our stand clear on this, so we wrote the letter.
Foreign collaborations and extensions are important elements of higher education. What are DU's plans?
We are very positive about our initiatives, but for now our focus is building our house, strengthening our infrastructure.
What is the status of the two Section 8 companies that DU established?
We have received around Rs 8 lakh for the DU foundation company, which collects the funds and sends them to the university account. We will decide where the funds are to be utilised, perhaps for infrastructure or for fellowships to students. Our target is Rs 100 crore in the first phase. The second company for incubators will also start inviting applications from undergrad and postgrad students and alumni who wish to establish companies of their own.
Start a Conversation
Post comment