From the academic year 2022-23, students only need to clear Class 12 and CUET to be eligible for admission into Delhi University (DU). The proposal to consider taking points in the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for admission, and not the cut-offs as before, was passed by the varsity’s executive council during Friday’s meeting. The university also accepted the proposal to establish the Delhi School of Analytics (DSA) under the Institutes of Eminence.
The DSA will offer short- and long-term certificate courses, degrees, and degrees that will enhance students’ business analytical skills. A proposal to borrow money from the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) was also accepted by the council, despite some members disagreeing.
The DU will submit a proposal of Rs 1,075.40 crore to HEFA for infrastructure development and capital asset creation. The HEFA funding pattern requires the university to repay the loan in 20 biennial installments over 10 years.
Read | CUCET 2022 notification out, registrations from April 2, check the exam pattern here
The dissenting members feared that the HEFA proposal will shift the government-funded university from a grant-based model to a loan-based funding model and lead the university into a debt trap.
They strongly opposed the “dangerous move towards privatization and the steep rise in student costs” and said taking out a loan was “unacceptable”. In another development, members of the executive council raised the issue that the College of Art failed to begin its admissions process, after which it was decided to send a letter to the director requesting explanations. The DU was informed that the Lieutenant Governor’s office had approved in principle the merger of College Of Art with Ambedkar University, subject to DU’s de-affiliation.
However, the varsity did not approve the deaffiliation as the executive council, the highest decision-making body, opposed the move. The proposal to establish an Institute for Nanomedical Sciences (INMS) was also approved by the Executive Council. During the meeting, some board members demanded that a one-off arrangement be made for the intake of all ad hoc/temporary DU teachers and that a committee be formed to implement this.
Read all the latest news, breaking news and IPL 2022 Live Updates here.