HRD ministry not to interfere in DU proposed Four Year Undergraduate Programme

Updated on: Thursday, May 30, 2013

The HRD ministry is veering around to a non-intervention approach in the Four Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) proposed from the current academic session in the Delhi University (DU).

After nearly two-hour meeting late on Wednesday evening — attended by the HRD minister M M Pallam Raju and senior ministry officials — the dominant view was that the FYUP is a good initiative and should be implemented. Sources said since the admission process is barely a few days away, the ministry is unlikely to have another meeting on the issue. "Right now the mood is to keep away from any intervention. Four-year course will go on. We will see how it gets implemented, and decide later," a source said.

In the meeting various representations made by those opposed to the FYUP was also discussed. DU vice-chancellor Dinesh Singh's written clarification on each contentious point was taken up. Few officials pointed to the positive aspect of the FYUP and argued that the public opinion on the new proposal is not really known as only a few eminent academics are opposing it. Positive media coverage, though limited, was also discussed. "The dominant view emerging out of the meeting was that the ministry cannot take over the work of universities. Academic matters should be best left to them," a source said, adding that the meeting was more of a discussion where the pro-FYUP view dominated. "No one opposed the programme," the source said.

Instead of delving into the merits of arguments of those opposing the FYUP the meeting took stock of the process followed by the DU. "Academic arguments against FYUP would be best answered by the varsity administration. Generally process has been taken care of. How can you intervene if the executive council and the academic council of DU has unanimously approved the new course?" a ministry source asked.

HRD ministry not to interfere in DU proposed Four Year Undergraduate Programme

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