With speculations rife that Centre would “reconsider” Delhi University’s four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP), HRD Minister MM Pallam Raju on Friday made it clear that Ministry will never intervene in the university’s matter. Raju, however, said it will look into the concerns expressed by some sections but said the momentum generated towards its implementation should not be derailed.
“Any decision on differing the programme by a year will be left to the Delhi University to decide as it is an autonomous institution. We should not be seen as dictating them or question their wisdom. If they feel comfortable to go ahead, we don’t want to come in the way,” Raju said while interacting with media on Friday.
Raju said the concerns expressed by dissenting groups have been discussed at length with DU Vice-Chancellor Dinesh Singh. The V-C has assured that things are going in the right direction, he said to persistent queries if his Ministry planned to intervene on the issue. Raju said there would always be resistance to changes in the country and that students need not be ‘alarmed’.
“The Ministry does not want to impinge on the academic authority and independence of the executive council of the university. About the concerns expressed, we are giving it deep thought and scrutiny and ensure it is addressed,” he said. He, however, noted that the concerns were limited to the speed with which the programme was being implemented and the omissions of some key elements of the course but not for the new scheme per se.
The HRD Minister said that the intention of the programme is right in terms of placement, proper career path. “The logic of altering the course is aimed at increasing their employability prospects, providing soft skills, IT exposure and multi-disciplinary approach. I don’t have any doubt in believing the intention,” Raju said.
The new programme will entail awarding a diploma if a student exits after two years, a bachelor’s degree after three years and a bachelor’s degree with honours or a B Tech degree on completion of four years. The four-year programme, the implication of which is being widely debated in the academic circle, has come in for criticism.
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury had met the Prime Minister in this regard and said that the PM sought to know why the university was ‘in a hurry’ to extend the three-year bachelor’s degree programme to four years.