Delhi University: Academic Council clears proposal to start 3 BTech courses; 18 dissent

NEW DELHI: Delhi University’s Academic Council has approved the proposal to start three BTech at its December 10 meeting. The council met on Friday and the agenda item was cleared with 18 members registering dissent.

The dissent note raises concerns on the lack of clarity in the proposal made by the university to the University Grants Commission (UGC) in which it has sought Rs 100 crore for three BTech programmes, in computer science, electronics and communications and electrical engineering. Delhi University’s letter to the UGC secretary sought Rs 25 crore every year for the next four years to develop infrastructure for the programme.

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The dissent note, signed by 18 AC members, points out the lack of information given regarding the buildings in which the new departments are supposed to be established. The note also points out that the UGC has not yet sanctioned the teaching and non-teaching staff positions of the new BTech programmes. Similarly, the fund also has not been sanctioned.

The dissent letter demands such funds to be part of the annual budget of UGC, and to not take loans under Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA). The non-banking financial agency, however, saw a massive fund cut in the Union Budget 2021 and has been all but rolled back for new applicants.

The dissent note further points out that the exit option provided with these BTech courses is unfair as the three year exit will provide the student only with an advanced diploma, while a BSc honours is awarded an Honours degree after studying for three years. The lack of mention of fee structure also drew criticism.

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The Delhi University had proposed for Rs 100 crore funding from the UGC for developing infrastructure facilities for starting new three BTech programmes. It has also requested for sanctioning positions for teaching and non-teaching staff.