Infra worries loom over DU colleges ahead of 4-year UG programme launch
NEW DELHI: With just over a month and a half left before Delhi University (DU) launches the fourth year of its Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP), questions are being raised about the university's preparedness. Many colleges still lack updated laboratories, a finalised curriculum and the necessary infrastructure to support the extended programme.
What has further alarmed faculty and stakeholders is the absence of FYUP preparedness from the agenda of the Academic Council meeting held on May 10. This raises concerns about the university's planning and priorities.
Abha Dev Habib, Secretary of the Delhi Teachers' Front (DTF), said, 'The University has created a situation where most students drop out before reaching the fourth year. Even if they continue, it won't make much sense since the core syllabus has been drastically reduced. The university is overburdening an already struggling system and lowering the quality of education.'
She added, 'Preparations for the fourth year were not discussed in the Academic Council meeting, only the syllabus was. Even then, only 60% of colleges have approved the proposed syllabus. Building infrastructure in just one and a half months is impossible. It needs time, permissions, and funds — and there's been no discussion on funding. Yet, they're expecting significant research outcomes. How will that happen?'
Another professor highlighted the lack of planning, saying, 'No survey has been done to assess how much space is needed or how resources will be managed. There's no clarity on funding either.'
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Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Hidden Delhi museum swelling with over 1,000 artefacts awaits expansion
Blocks away from Delhi University's arts faculty, a relatively lesser-known museum, housed within the department of anthropology in North Campus, is preparing for a transformation. The museum, adjacent to the department of environmental studies and overlooking the vice chancellor's office, is home to 1,222 artefacts that span diverse cultural and material heritage from across the world; the 78-year-old museum currently displays less than half its collection due to a space crunch. According to officials, a proposal for expansion has already been approved by the university administration and is now under review by the Union Ministry of Culture for funding. 'A high-level committee, comprising experts from all over India, had been formed to deliberate on the expansion of the museum. The plan has been approved by the competent committee constituted by the university administration, and a proposal has been sent to the Ministry of Culture, requesting funds for the same,' said Soumendra Mohan Patnaik, head of the department of anthropology and director of the Centre for Tribal Studies. Patnaik added, 'The committee constituted included senior members from DU as well as former directors and sitting directors of premier national bodies such as the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, National Museum and the Indira Gandhi Rastriya Manav Sangrahalaya.' The museum, established in 1947 by Prafulla Chandra Biswas (who also founded the department), is housed in a heritage building dating back to the British era, marked by sprawling lawns and an arched, semi-open entrance leading to a glass-doored display area. At present, it is spread across just two rooms, flanked by two departmental libraries and a workspace used by PhD scholars. 'Once the application for the building grant gets cleared, other units will be shifted to the new building, and the central building will be used only to house the museum,' Patnaik added. The department has also been actively adding new artefacts to its collection — sourced through fieldwork and diplomatic collaborations. While the museum doesn't have a dedicated curatorial staff — it is currently maintained by faculty members on an ad hoc basis — Patnaik clarified that accessibility is not an issue, thanks to its central location on campus. On November 29, 2024, the museum received one of its most significant recent additions: a set of 28 textile-based artefacts from the Hmar Students' Association (HSA), joint headquarters, Delhi. These include traditional Hmar attire and ceremonial garments such as the Thangsuo Puon — a cloth of honour representing bravery and selfless community service — as well as the Zakuolaisen blouse and Puonlaisen wrap, worn by Hmar women during weddings and festivals, officials said. 'Each of these garments holds a cultural and ceremonial purpose. For instance, the Thlanlam Puon is used during funerary rituals,' said Abigail Lalnuneng, assistant professor at the department, while curating the brightly coloured fabrics. Other garments include the Hmar Puon (originally intended as a representation of the Hmar identity for women during dances and festivals), Tawnlo Puon (shawl of distinction, used by Hmar families to indicate their status and wealth), Tawllo Puon (the shawl of dauntlessness, used to drape the corpse of the Hmar hunters killed by animals), and Hmar-am (short skirt), among others, each linked to specific social or ceremonial roles in the Hmar community, which is an ethnic group based in northeastern states of India, including Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Assam. The collection also includes bead necklaces, earrings, headgear, and other cultural accessories, Lalnuneng added. Another recent donation came from the Centre for Indigenous and Colonial Studies (CEIC) at the National University of Jujuy, Argentina. The CEIC gifted seven artefacts, including Tulma (vibrant woollen balls), a Bombo (drum), a Guena (flute), a handcrafted bag, wooden figurines of a llama and bird, and a bundle of llama and sheep wool, Lalnuneng said. Open on all days except Sunday, the museum showcases artefacts representing livelihood, housing, jewellery, and weaving traditions from diverse tribal and indigenous communities. There is no entry fee, and while outsiders need permission from the department, access is generally granted without hassle. The collection spans from fishing tools used along Indian coastlines and a shawl presented by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to Neanderthal skeletons from France and the US. Among the more eclectic items are wooden masks of Rama from Odisha and early 20th-century agricultural implements. Despite this richness, the museum has struggled to capture the attention of the university's student body. 'Once the main work is done, we will also paint the walls, reorganise the artefacts, and display the new items. We want to make the museum more cohesive,' Patnaik said, adding that the New Education Policy 2020's focus on the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) will guide the department's revamp. Patnaik highlighted the need for museums to move beyond colonial curatorial frameworks. 'We want to streamline our efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of India, and museums concretise that heritage in a sense. Museums need to be decolonised and revisited outside the colonial framework. Apart from the few pieces from outside, we will continue our efforts in procuring and studying the different tribal heritage in our country,' he added. 'Another aspect that is in the cards is digitisation. Due to the space crunch, we have been talking about it for a while and will be taking it up as well in the near future,' Patnaik said. With the expansion in the works, faculty and staff hope the museum will finally receive the visibility its collection deserves.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Time of India
DU extends application deadline for PG and BTech admissions for session 2025-26
New Delhi: In a bid to provide students with more flexibility and ease the pressure during the admissions process, Delhi University (DU) announced an extension of the application deadline for its postgraduate (PG) and BTech programmes for the academiac session 2025-26. Candidates now have time until 11.59 pm on June 9 to complete their applications. This extension was welcomed by many aspirants, particularly those who encountered challenges in completing the application within the earlier deadline. The online registration for PG and BTech admissions originally started on May 16. However, due to a variety of issues — ranging from last-minute documentation delays to technical glitches — several students requested more time. In response, the university took a student-friendly approach by granting this one-time extension. The university is offering admissions to approximately 13,600 seats across 82 postgraduate programmes, and 360 seats in three BTech programmes: computer science and engineering, electronics and communication engineering, and elctrical engineering. To further assist applicants, DU will open a correction window from June 10 to June 12, until 11.59pm. During this period, candidates can edit and update their applications through the official university portal, ensuring accuracy before the final submission. Admissions to PG programmes will be carried out through the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS). Candidates applying under supernumerary quotas, such as for extracurriculars or other special categories, must fill out separate application forms as instructed. University authorities also confirmed that this will be the final extension, and no further changes will be entertained for the 2025-26 admissions. Students are therefore urged to complete and review their applications within the stipulated timeline to avoid missing out. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Scroll.in
21 hours ago
- Scroll.in
DU extends registration deadline for PG and BTech admissions 2025; here's direct link to apply
The University of Delhi (DU) has extended the registration deadline for its postgraduate (PG) and admissions for the academic session 2025, as per the official notice. Candidates now have time until 11.59 pm on June 9, 2025, to submit their applications through the university's official portal After the registration closes, DU will open a correction window from June 10 to June 12, 2025. Steps to apply for PG and admission 2025 Visit the official website Under 'Registration Links', click on the link for CSAS PG or Admission Register and login using your details Pay the fee, and submit the form Download the form for future reference Direct link to apply for PG Admission 2025. Direct link to apply for Admission 2025. Eligibility Criteria (TOI Report) Admissions to PG Programs will be based on candidates' scores in the CUET (PG) 2025 examination. Admissions to Programs will consider the Common Rank List (CRL) from the JEE (Main) 2025 Paper-I.
