DU to remain first choice for toppers

With Std XII CBSE results declared Monday, more than 1.50 lakh students are now expected to make a beeline for Delhi University as the admission window opens on June 5.

As the strident criticism over four year undergraduate programme (FYUP) hurts the varsity’s reputation, one may wonder why would one waste a precious year when the equivalent qualification can be earned at other places in a mere three years.

However, no prize for guessing that the most ardent DU aspirants still think otherwise.
Nisha Wadhera, a student who had come to attend DU’s open house at North Campus said, “This is considered to be the best university not only in Delhi but across the country. I would be happy if I secure admission here.”

 There is no denying the fact that many would take a hard look at other bets such as GGSIP University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Amity and Ambedkar University. “We invited applications for BCom (honours) programme which has a 1,000 seats and received more than 12,000 applications. I think, we stand to gain from DU’s switching to four years,” says Nalini Ranjan, GGSIP University’s public relations officer.  

However, the creme de la creme of Std XII is likely to stay loyal to the 91-year-old university of Delhi. “Students who aspire to go to St Stephen’s or Lady Shri Ram College will surely apply at these places because the charm of going to these institutions is unparalleled. As far as the matter of an extra year is concerned, one can always exit the programme after spending three years, albeit without an honours degree,” says Prof B L Handoo, an educational innovator.

Even counsellors also echo the same sentiments. “I don’t understand why is there so much hoopla around one extra year. Four year programme is already offered at other places such as Ambedkar University in Delhi and all engineering degrees are of a four year duration,” says Pervin Malhotra, a career counsellor and columnist. 

As one would expect, the varsity’s faculty members who are critical of the FYUP also mellow down when one draws parallel between DU and its counterparts. “DU is still a good university and students should continue to go there despite whatever is happening,” Prof Nayanjot Lahiri, a senior faculty member in history department of Delhi University who opposes the FYUP.

However, Prof Handoo believes that DU’s uniqueness will now be projected by private varsities in a different light now. “They might say to the applicants, ‘What you will get in DU in four years can now be attained in just three years’,” said Prof Handoo.

Rakesh Jain, an HR consultant and a product of DU’s Faculty of Management Studies says the four year bachelor’s degree will be beneficial to only those who wish to go for higher studies in the USA but if someone wants to study for a master’s programme in India then one should exit the graduation after three years.

Another counsellor Jitin Chawla says there may be some movement from DU to other universities but the number will not be significant. “Ambedkar University has good undergraduate programmes in Psychology, Economics and English and there are good undergraduate programmes in Jamia Millia also which students can explore,” says Chawla.