Apparently under pressure from several quarters, the Delhi University (DU) on Friday agreed to comply with the University Grants Commission’s order to scrap its Four Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP).
The DU has written a fresh letter to the UGC informing it that the varsity is ready to scrap the FYUP and begin admissions for 3-year programme “very soon”.
DU Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh also issued a statement that read, “Admission process to undergraduate programme to be conducted under scheme of courses that were in force in academic session 2012-13.”
“We will follow University Grants Commission directives on FYUP and admissions will start soon,” it further said. He also said that it was of paramount importance to protect the students by starting the admission process.
The admission process shall consequently be conducted under scheme of courses that were in force in academic session 2012-13, according to the VC.
“We have replied to UGC, onus is on them to respond now,” a senior Delhi University official also said. Some reports quoting DU sources said the admissions to 3-year courses will most likely start from Monday.
The statement came after principals of various colleges affiliated to the DU met to decide the future course of action.
Reacting to the development, Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani said, “I respect the autonomy of institutions. However, I’m reminded that autonomous institutions were created to serve the people of the nation. My appeal is this, that within the ambit of the law, this is the time for statesmanship which will lead to a resolution. One should not sacrifice the interest of our students at the altar of prestige.”
As confusion prevailed, several DU students began an indefinite hunger strike this morning demanding the resignation of DU Vice Chancellor and an immediate rollback of the FYUP.
Dhruv Sangwan, South Campus President from Indian National Students’ Organization (INSO), said, “The admissions are not happening because of the DU VC’s dictatorship. Even the FYUP was started because of the VC’s authoritarianism. We want the three year course back and Dinesh Singh’s immediate resignation.”
