Craft your own degrees at CIC

Innovative learning

Delhi University is utilising its ‘open house sessions’ to spread the word on new avenues being introduced by it every year.

Besides the usual audio-visual presentation on the varsity, followed by a question-answer session with students, this time, DU’s open days have a special talk on the Cluster Innovation Centre. 

Cluster Innovation Centre, or CIC, came into being only in September 2011. Few students are aware of its existence. Contradictory course names like ‘BTech in Humanities’ and ‘BTech Innovation with Mathematics and IT’ have added to the confusion. DU, therefore, decided to bring in faculty members from the institute, currently located in the North Campus stadium, to demystify its offerings to students. Aspirants crowding the varsity’s open days probably don’t expect a lecture on a new and relatively-unknown constituent called CIC, but it is sure to attract many of them into considering undergraduate studies here. 

Dr Sukrita Paul Kumar, Programme Coordinator, BTech Humanities at CIC, who is addressing students at the open sessions, informs Metrolife, “CIC has the capability to bring a paradigm change in how we look at education. Our courses are not just centred around academic theories but focus on their application. In BTech Humanities, for example, a student designs her own degree. She can choose subjects from any stream during her four-year term. We offer specialisation in five streams: Journalism, Counselling, Education, Historical tourism and Art and design. But a student can make her own formulation. We will help in structuring the course.”

BTech Humanities also offers the exciting prospect of studying in several colleges of DU. Except for the first and eighth semester, when students will study out of the CIC campus, they are placed in different colleges where subjects of their choice are offered. “One can utilise the resources of different colleges, learn from their faculty and make friends everywhere. CIC, in that way, offers the best of everything that this varsity has,” says Dr Kumar.    ‘BTech Innovation with Mathematics and IT’ does not offer as much flexibility but promises to be equally exciting for maths wizards. It looks at diverse areas where mathematics can be applied, such as Electronic roboting and embedded system, Economics and management and Computational biology. 

In each of these two courses, students are working on excellent projects and internships. “Being hands-on courses, projects and internships are an integral part of them. Some of my students are working with NTPC, the Institute of Finance and Governance, Rural Immersion, Police Corps and reprimand houses. Recently, some students, who studied problems in water distribution at Kusumpur Pahari, are now looking forward to assisting DJB officials. And all of these, while studying here in CIC,” explains Dr Sobha Bagai, assistant professor, Maths.

The best part about CIC’s UG courses, though, is their admission procedure which includes an entrance exam, and the personalised attention given to each student aided by the small number of seats – 40 in each course. Dr Bagai says, “You have to first enrol in any regular course of DU through the OMR form. Once you have been admitted, then you need to separately apply in CIC and give a test. So many students, who don’t score well in XIIth boards, miss out on DU or have to settle for colleges of not their choice. CIC gives you a great opportunity in that sense.”

Dr Kumar adds, “All our 80 seats were full and students still in the waiting list last year. Students let go of their admissions in prestigious colleges like Hindu and Stephens to join us. This time, we are expecting a bigger rush. The open house lectures will help.”