Students at Delhi University (DU) will now have an opportunity to work in the Vice Chancellor’s office and contribute to policy making, updating archives and other administrative work related to the functioning of the varsity. DU is inviting applications from students for a four-week internship in the VC office, housed in historical Viceregal lodge, which has always been just an imposing white colonial building, the workings of which they have never been allowed to see and thereby understand.
In the first phase, the varsity has received over 5,000 applications for 50 positions, following which certain amendments have been made in the selection process to filter the large number of applications. “We have invited applications from semester II and IV students enrolled in various courses at DU. The select 50 will work from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm on weekdays with officials of the VC office on various projects connected with the university. Weekend duties may also be assigned,” said Malay Neerav, DU’s Joint Dean of Students’ Welfare.
The interns will work on five projects which include updating university archives, inspecting and ensuring readiness of colleges for National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) visit, policy making for upkeep of university guesthouses and defining role of DU in contributing to the local economy.
“First, the students will work on updating of university archives and historical literature available at Viceregal lodge. In the second project, the students will visit various colleges and check whether they are ready for inspection of NAAC accreditation scheduled in August this year. If there are any loopholes, they will make suggestions and ensure that the pending tasks are completed in due time,” he said. DU has two guest houses — one each for foreign and domestic visitors.
“Students will chart a policy for their upkeep, including the dishes, the room décor, amenities and other housekeeping activities, in order to ensure that world-class facilities are available at the two properties,” Neerav added. “In the last project, the interns will work on policies on how DU can contribute to the economy in its nearby areas. For instance, space allocation and other measures for smooth functioning of vendors, khomchawalas and autorickshaw drivers.
“The students will collect data and suggest how their earnings can be improved without hindering the varsity’s functioning. Also on the agenda will be issues like making roads safer for pedestrians,” he added. The internship is aimed at giving students an idea about the functioning at the VC office and what goes into running a university. The selected students will report to the Vice Chancellor during the internship period, though five project heads have been appointed by the varsity to take care of each of the projects.
The offline application process has now been converted online and candidates have been asked to submit a statement of purpose describing why they want to pursue the internship. The interns will also be paid a stipend, the amount for which is yet to be decided. The Viceregal lodge estate is DU’s grand inheritance from British India. It has been home to five British viceroys during the first three decades of the 20th century and was handed over to DU in 1933.