Students of Delhi University, who have been invited to participate in a two-day academic meeting organised by the vice chancellor to discuss innovations in higher education, are questioning whether attending the congress will give them answers to their questions.
“Recently, the VC had called a meeting with students. On several occasions a question about the Meta University not focussing on subjects in depth was ignored,” said Physics (H) first-year student of Miranda House, Kanika Singh.
Under the Meta University concept, a student can mix and match courses.
“We were told that either we need more experience to ask such questions, or the VC explained how the course suits the spiritual needs of youth,” said Singh. The two-day meet starts on Thursday.
A senior official said over 500 participants from NGOs and schools — principals, teachers and students — are expected to attend the meet.
“The congress will have constructive suggestions and criticism. It is an attempt to improve existing academic programmes, and will aim to bring out ideas on higher education that can be used in the present system gradually,” said an official.
DU principals, teachers and students are also invited to give their views.
A teacher who is participating in the meet said the proposed four-year undergraduate programme, which may be implemented by 2013 in all undergraduate courses, will be discussed.
“The four-year UG degree may be the topic of discussion. At least we are expecting the discussion to take place in this meet.
Teachers who have been given responsibilities of innovation projects are being asked to bring along their students,” said the teacher.
“Teachers and students from the Cluster Innovation Centre, which has started some projects, will also attend the meet,” said the teacher.
Some doubts
According to a section of teachers’ body, which opposes the idea of the four-year programme and other changes in curriculum, the meeting will be used to justify approving the proposed projects.
“We won’t be surprised if after the meeting the VC announces that the four-year graduation programme is in place by giving the logic that the idea has been accepted by a majority of the participants,” said a Hindu College professor.
“There is not even a blueprint of this drastic change. We are still reeling under the semester system changes, which were hurriedly implemented, so did the Meta University concept and now this. The VC is putting the future of students at stake,” said the professor.
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