Amid objections, DU approves academic changes; V-C says ready for fourth year

Indian Express

a day ago

The Executive Council of Delhi University approved several key academic and infrastructural proposals, including some controversial curriculum changes, at a meeting held on Saturday.
Among the most debated revisions was the removal of papers on Pakistan, Islam and China from the postgraduate Political Science syllabus — the changes were previously cleared by the Academic Council on June 5 amid internal opposition.
The EC also unanimously approved the appointment of Rajni Abbi as Director of the South Campus, with Vice Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh placing the proposal before the Council.
The announcement came as DU outlined major preparations for rolling out the fourth year of undergraduate study under NEP 2020.
'Delhi University is fully prepared for the fourth year of undergraduate education under NEP-2020. About 60% of the students are likely to upgrade to the fourth year,' Prof. Singh told the Council. For colleges with faculty shortages, he said, provisions will be made to engage guest faculty and allow regular teachers to take additional classes. 'Only regular faculty will teach the fourth-year students while guest faculty will teach only junior classes,' he added. The Vice-Chancellor also clarified that 'provision will be made for proper payment for teachers as well as non-teaching staff.'
The EC also cleared the construction of a hostel for girl students and working women in DU's Dhaka Campus, with the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) asked to prepare the plan based on a PAR of Rs 200 crore. 'CPWD has been advised to prepare the building plan in such a way that no tree is harmed,' a statement from the varsity underlined.
Plans were also approved for a new academic building, executive hostel, and two hostel expansions in the South Campus, totalling over Rs 66 crore. Additionally, a Cultural Activity Centre will be built near Shankar Lal Hall, with CPWD submitting the concept drawing.
The EC noted that 17 infrastructure projects are underway across the university, valued at Rs 1,912.15 crore, with Rs 329 crore already released. Projects include a new computer centre, expansion of science and social sciences buildings, and WUS Health Centre, among others. Forty renovation projects were completed for Rs 13.34 crore.
Amid complaints about concrete falling from ceilings and beams at Dhaka Campus hostels, the Engineering Department assigned CPWD to conduct a structural audit. The report cited saline water use and low concrete cover as causes of decay. 'Measures for reconstruction, dismantling, and rebuilding of some buildings' have been recommended. A subcommittee will monitor the phased retrofitting of the Rajiv Gandhi Girls' Hostel, the Undergraduate Hostel, and 70 Type-I flats.
The EC also approved installing solar plants on the RESCO model in North and South Campuses, in partnership with PSU SECI under the Ministry of Renewable Energy.
The Vice-Chancellor also asked the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Sanjay Rai, to submit a proposal for setting up a Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Udyan and renaming an auditorium after Ambedkar. A committee headed by Abbi will engage with Arun Jaitley's family regarding a proposed sports scholarship in his name.