Pledge form, mental health counselling support to restore discipline on DAVV campus

Indore: In the aftermath of recent hostel vandalism incidents at DAVV’s Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), the university’s executive council on Friday proposed mandatory pledge forms for new students, mental health counselling support and stricter security measures as part of a wider effort to restore discipline on the campus.The decisions and proposals emerged during the executive council meeting held on DAVV’s Nalanda Campus on Friday. According to the council members, the meeting expressed serious concern over recent incidents in two university departments and stressed the need to protect the institution’s discipline and reputation.One of the major proposals discussed during the meeting was the introduction of the Devi Ahilya Vidyarthi Pledge Form from the upcoming academic session. Under the proposal, students taking fresh admission along with their parents will have to fill and sign the form during admissions. Through the pledge, students will commit themselves towards discipline, ethical conduct, women’s respect, social harmony, environmental protection, de-addiction and responsible use of digital technology.The council member AK Dwivedi stated during the meeting that education should focus not only on degrees and technical skills but also on character building, responsibility and values. The council members welcomed the proposal and described it as an effort to connect education with social responsibility in the age of artificial intelligence and increasing digital exposure among youth.The council also agreed on appointing a qualified psychologist in the university for students and teachers. The psychologist will provide counselling related to stress management, behavioural concerns, mental health awareness, personality development and de-addiction. Officials termed the move important in view of rising emotional and academic pressure among students.The meeting also discussed strengthening campus security by increasing the height of the university boundary wall and deploying additional security personnel. Plans to gradually shift examination-related procedures to an online system were also discussed to improve transparency and efficiency.The council also approved a proposal to increase the contribution amount deposited by donors sponsoring gold and silver medals awarded during the university convocation ceremony, citing the sharp rise in gold and silver prices and the resulting increase in manufacturing costs of the medals. The issue had recently drawn attention during the university’s convocation ceremony, where the higher cost of medals was widely discussed.Apart from this, the council gave in-principle approval for a new classroom complex building to address classroom shortages.