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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Amid objections, DU approves academic changes; V-C says ready for fourth year
The Executive Council of Delhi University approved several key academic and infrastructural proposals, including some controversial curriculum changes, at a meeting held on Saturday. Among the most debated revisions was the removal of papers on Pakistan, Islam and China from the postgraduate Political Science syllabus — the changes were previously cleared by the Academic Council on June 5 amid internal opposition. The EC also unanimously approved the appointment of Rajni Abbi as Director of the South Campus, with Vice Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh placing the proposal before the Council. The announcement came as DU outlined major preparations for rolling out the fourth year of undergraduate study under NEP 2020. 'Delhi University is fully prepared for the fourth year of undergraduate education under NEP-2020. About 60% of the students are likely to upgrade to the fourth year,' Prof. Singh told the Council. For colleges with faculty shortages, he said, provisions will be made to engage guest faculty and allow regular teachers to take additional classes. 'Only regular faculty will teach the fourth-year students while guest faculty will teach only junior classes,' he added. The Vice-Chancellor also clarified that 'provision will be made for proper payment for teachers as well as non-teaching staff.' The EC also cleared the construction of a hostel for girl students and working women in DU's Dhaka Campus, with the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) asked to prepare the plan based on a PAR of Rs 200 crore. 'CPWD has been advised to prepare the building plan in such a way that no tree is harmed,' a statement from the varsity underlined. Plans were also approved for a new academic building, executive hostel, and two hostel expansions in the South Campus, totalling over Rs 66 crore. Additionally, a Cultural Activity Centre will be built near Shankar Lal Hall, with CPWD submitting the concept drawing. The EC noted that 17 infrastructure projects are underway across the university, valued at Rs 1,912.15 crore, with Rs 329 crore already released. Projects include a new computer centre, expansion of science and social sciences buildings, and WUS Health Centre, among others. Forty renovation projects were completed for Rs 13.34 crore. Amid complaints about concrete falling from ceilings and beams at Dhaka Campus hostels, the Engineering Department assigned CPWD to conduct a structural audit. The report cited saline water use and low concrete cover as causes of decay. 'Measures for reconstruction, dismantling, and rebuilding of some buildings' have been recommended. A subcommittee will monitor the phased retrofitting of the Rajiv Gandhi Girls' Hostel, the Undergraduate Hostel, and 70 Type-I flats. The EC also approved installing solar plants on the RESCO model in North and South Campuses, in partnership with PSU SECI under the Ministry of Renewable Energy. The Vice-Chancellor also asked the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Sanjay Rai, to submit a proposal for setting up a Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Udyan and renaming an auditorium after Ambedkar. A committee headed by Abbi will engage with Arun Jaitley's family regarding a proposed sports scholarship in his name.
India Today
13-06-2025
- General
- India Today
DU orders campus-wide safety audits post exams amid rising concerns
The University of Delhi (DU) has issued a directive mandating all affiliated colleges to perform comprehensive safety audits of their campuses during the summer initiative comes after a series of incidents, including a fire at Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce's library and another in the Department of Geology, as well as an injury caused by a falling ceiling fan at Kalindi SAFETY AUDITS: AREAS TO BE INSPECTEDIn an official circular released by Professor Rajni Abbi, the university's Proctor, all college principals, department heads, hostel provosts, and university librarians have been instructed to inspect every room and toilet. "It is requested that after the examinations end and the vacation period begins, a thorough survey be conducted in all rooms and toilets of your institution. Please ensure that all roofs and walls are structurally sound, electrical fittings such as fans and lights are functioning, there is enough provision for drinking water and adequate supply of toilet water," the circular integrity: Ensure that walls and roofs are in safe safety: Check the proper functioning of electrical fittings such as fans and supply: Verify adequate provision for drinking water and toilet Ensure that lifts are operational and ramps for students with disabilities are in good safety: Confirm that fire extinguishers are functional and buildings requiring whitewashing are attended measures aim to provide students with a safe, secure, and healthy environment upon their return from ON SAFETY In addition to infrastructure inspections, DU has emphasised the importance of security during college events. The university has updated its guidelines to include:CCTV Surveillance: Installation of cameras outside women's washrooms and changing Security: Conducting security drills with Delhi Police prior to Ensuring entry to events is through pre-registration to maintain crowd safety drive falls under the Board of Residence, Health and Discipline, as per Ordinance XV (Chapter VI). The objective is to provide students with a safe, secure, and healthy environment once they return from their are expected to carry out the inspections and take necessary action to ensure all campus facilities are in good condition before the new academic session begins.
NDTV
13-06-2025
- General
- NDTV
Delhi University Colleges To Conduct Safety Audit Of Campus Infrastructure
The University of Delhi has issued a directive to all college principals, department heads, hostel provosts, and university librarians to carry out a comprehensive infrastructure and safety survey of their premises after the conclusion of examinations and commencement of summer vacations. In an official circular issued by the Proctor, Professor Rajni Abbi, institutions have been asked to inspect all rooms and toilets to ensure that walls and roofs are in a safe condition. The circular also calls for a check on the proper functioning of electrical fittings such as fans and lights, and to ensure adequate water supply for drinking and sanitation purposes. "It is requested that after the examinations end and the vacation period begins, a thorough survey be conducted in all rooms and toilets of your institution. Please ensure that all roofs and walls are structurally sound, electrical fittings such as fans and lights are functioning, there is enough provision for drinking water and adequate supply of toilet water," the circular states. The Proctor further instructed that lifts should be operational and ramps for students with disabilities be repaired if needed. Functioning fire extinguishers are to be ensured, and buildings requiring white-washing should be attended to. These measures, the circular notes, are particularly important in light of recent incidents reported from some colleges. The initiative falls under the purview of the Board of Residence, Health and Discipline, Ordinance XV (Chapter VI), and aims to provide students with a "safe, secure and healthy environment" upon their return from vacation.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
DU colleges to undergo safety audits post infrastructure mishaps
New Delhi: In the wake of recent safety incidents across its campuses, Delhi University (DU) has issued a directive mandating comprehensive safety inspections at all its affiliated colleges. The university has instructed college principals, department heads, hostel supervisors, and librarians to carry out detailed assessments to ensure that campus infrastructure is safe and well-maintained for students and staff. The circular follows several alarming incidents. A fire broke out in the library of Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce due to a short circuit, and a similar blaze was reported on Tuesday in the university's Department of Geology when computers caught fire. Earlier in April, a faculty member at Kalindi College was reportedly injured when a ceiling fan fell in a classroom. These events have sparked serious concerns about the physical condition of DU's facilities. "It is requested that after the examinations end and the vacation period begins, a thorough survey be conducted in all rooms and toilets of your institution. Please ensure that all roofs and walls are structurally sound, electrical fittings such as fans and lights are functioning, there is enough provision for drinking water and adequate supply of toilet water," stated the circular issued by DU Proctor Rajni Abbi. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Buenos Aires (ver precio) Verisure Más información Undo The notice further added, "Please ensure that lifts are operational, ramps for students with disabilities are repaired, and fire extinguishers are in working condition. If your building requires whitewashing, please get it done. This directive follows a few incidents reported from various colleges." A senior university official underscored the urgency of the inspections. "The recent fire in the geology department, along with the incident involving the ceiling fan, led to the issuance of this circular. Our priority is to prevent such mishaps in the future and ensure that all safety measures are firmly in place before students return from vacation and the new academic session begins," the official said. The directive calls for thorough checks of all rooms and restrooms, with specific focus on fire safety equipment, elevators, accessibility features for students with disabilities, electrical systems, and water supply infrastructure. It also emphasises the need to verify the structural integrity of buildings and maintain hygienic and functional sanitation facilities. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Delhi University under fire for asking only Kashmiri students for personal details; JKSA calls move discriminatory, seeks Centre's intervention
NEW DELHI: A Delhi University (DU) directive asking students from Jammu and Kashmir to submit personal details has triggered a sharp reaction from the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), which has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking withdrawal of the "discriminatory" circular. The University, however, has defended the move, citing student safety and a request from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) based on intelligence to the criticism, DU Proctor Rajni Abbi told PTI that the directive was issued "for the better safety and security of the students from Jammu and Kashmir," noting that there have been instances where Kashmiri students were harassed or assaulted in some parts of the added that the Delhi Police had sought the data and that the circular followed a request from the MHA based on intelligence inputs related to student circular comes amid the backdrop of a terror attack in south Kashmir's Pahalgam town that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, on April the attack, J&K students and professionals residing in places outside the Union Territory reported instances of harassment and a letter dated May 6, the JKSA alleged that several DU colleges have asked J&K students to provide their addresses, contact numbers, email IDs, and course details - requirements not imposed on students from any other state or Union Territory. The association described the move as " community profiling " and a violation of fundamental rights."The information is being sought only from Kashmiri students, raising serious concerns of targeted surveillance," the JKSA said in the letter addressed to the Home Minister. "This unjustified surveillance creates an atmosphere of fear and exclusion, rather than integration and belonging."The association warned that such measures risk alienating students from J&K and may hinder their academic experience. "At a time when students should feel supported in their academic pursuits, they are instead gripped by fear and uncertainty," it JKSA also questioned the need for collecting such data, arguing that student details are already available with the university from the admission for Shah's intervention, the JKSA urged the Centre to issue clear guidelines to educational institutions to avoid any form of regional or religious profiling."We believe that your timely intervention can restore faith among Kashmiri students in the institutions meant to protect and nurture them," the letter stated.
