May 2017

As the year 2016-17 comes to an end we bring to you the list of achievements, laurels and good happenings around the university of this year.

1. 59th Annual Flower Show of University of Delhi

The 59th Annual Flower Show of the University of Delhi took place on On 23rd February, in Mughal Garden, North Campus. Special Holiday was announced for the Delhi University colleges on account of this event. As a result, the premises were abuzz with students, teachers and flower enthusiasts appreciating the vibrant and varied blossoms.
The event was inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Mr. Yogesh Tyagi and the Chief Guest of the event was Dr. Harsh Vardhan, the Science and Technology Minister.

Read the full report here.

Canadian High commission and Miranda House host THE SOUTH ASIAN YOUNG WOMEN LEADERSHIP CONCLAVE

The High Commission of Canada in India, in association with the Women’s Development Cell of Miranda House, National Commission for Women and Women’s Feature Service, organised a dialogue on Women leadership and empowerment, from 8-10 February at the India Habitat Centre.

Over the 3 days, the South Asian Young Women Leadership Conclave saw participation of people from different walks of life- with only one aim in mind, to discuss women’s issues and development.

Read the full report here.

DU students make world record by making Largest plastic cup pyramid by using 57,000 plastic cups at Thyagraj Sports complex

An enterprising group of Delhi University students in September 2016 created a new world record, of making the Largest plastic cup pyramid by using 57,000 plastic cups at Thyagraj Sports complex today. The contingent of 22 students who were led by Kushagra Tayal, an Economics student from HansRaj college took 3 days to accomplish this feat. The students were cheered by an audience of about 1500 people who consisted of friends, family and other well wishers.

Read the full report here.

Miranda House students devised environment friendly, sustainable and economical. way to control mosquitos

While Delhi was facing an increase in the number of cases of Dengue, some young researchers of Miranda House College have come up with unique and more effective research study on controlling mosquitoes. The research was a part of the undergraduate research project that was taken up by these students who were keen to learn more about research and at the same time contribute to the society.

Read the full report here.

H.P Singh appointed as Director of Cluster Innovation Center

Prof. Harinder P. Singh was appointed the new director of Cluster Innovation Centre (CIC). A professor at department of Physics and Astrophysics, Prof. Singh is also the dean of International Relations of the university. An eminent researcher in the field of astronomy, he has been the vice president of Astronomical society of India. He is also a member of the International Astronomical Union as well as a fellow at Royal Astronomical society, London.

Read the full report here.

DU students compete at the Olympics

The Olympics that took place in August, 2016, at Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, included three Delhi University (DU) students competing in different events with DU is the only university to send three participants to the Olympic Games in the same year.

Read the full report here.

Miranda House bags number one spot in list of Top Indian Colleges

Delhi’s Miranda House is the best college in India, according to government rankings of educational institutions released on 4^th April 2017. The rankings were made under five heads — overall, university, engineering, management and pharmacy. Launched in 2015, NIRF is a methodology adopted by the HRD Ministry to rank all institutions of higher education in India. The rankings are important as government funding for institutions are dependent on them. Over 3,300 institutes participated in the second edition of the India Rankings.

Find the full report here.

Picture Credits: DU Beat Archives

Aditya Narang

adityan@dubeat.com

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Delhi University Challenges Delhi High Court order on employees’ pension

By Joyee Bhattacharya May 2, 2017

The University of Delhi has decided to challenge a Delhi High Court Order in the Supreme Court, which directed the University to grant monthly pension to over 300 teachers.

The decision to challenge the order was taken on Saturday, April 29^th, 2017 in a meeting called to discuss issues centered around general provident fund (GPF), monthly pension, cumulative provident fund (CPF) and lump sum money at retirement for teachers. Issues around the absorption of ad-hoc teachers as permanent faculty, promotions and problems of physical education teachers were also discussed during the meeting that lasted for around 10 hours, as per a council member, who attended the same.

According to a Council member, Rajesh Jha, the decision to challenge the order was taken despite strong dissent from the members present. “We also submitted a statement of concerns over pension issues signed by five council members during the meeting,” he added.

Nandita Narain, the president of Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) told the media about the huge legal expenses and around a decade long litigation period the employees had to struggle through in order to earn the bench division litigation. The HC order challenge has been dissented against by a large number of employees of the University, and are dissapointed by the “callous approach” of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), added the DUTA President.

A dharna was also organised by the DUTA members outside the Vice Regal Lodge, the venue for the meeting, for voicing their concerns around the issue.

Feature Image Credits: Flickr

Priyal Mahtta
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Delhi University celebrates its 95th Foundation Day

By Srivedant Kar May 1, 2017

Delhi University celebrated its 95^th foundation day today at the convention hall of the historical vice-regal lodge. The celebrations which marked the birth of the University 95 years from today saw Dr. Karan Singh, Member of Parliament, Dr. Swapan Dasgupta, MP- Rajya Sabha, Ambassador Shri Jayant Prasad and Mr. Rajat Sharma as distinguished guests among others.

The celebrations begun with the unfurling of the University flag at the ‘Gulab Vatika’ premises by the guests which was followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. Then the guests of the occasion were felicitated by the Vice Chancellor of the University which was followed by the addresses by guests to the gathering. Dr. Karan Singh’s speech focused on the need of a changing education to meet the changing demands of the time. He also reiterated the long pending issue of new education policy. He ended his address by asking everyone to remember their fundamental duties when they talk of fundamental rights.

This was followed by address of Mr. Shiv Shankar Mukherjee and then followed by Mr. Jayant Prasad. Being the alumni of St. Stephens College, both of them shared their memories related to Rohtas Samosa and the Woodehouse society of the college. They also mentioned about the growing Naxal movement in the university during their period. This was followed by address of Rajat Sharma, the editor-in-chief of India TV and the host of the popular ‘Aap ki Adalat’ show. Sharma remembered how Delhi University taught him to dream and also how to turn the dream into reality.

This was followed by the presenting of several distinguished service awards to retired teachers, non-teaching staff and teachers with exceptional achievements. After the felicitation ceremony, Prof. Yogesh Tyagi, the vice-chancellor of the University addressed the gathering asking everyone to send in their suggestions on how to make University a better place.

The program drew its curtains with vote of thanks by Prof. Pami Dua, Dean of academics which was followed by high tea. The entire ceremony was also translated into sign language by the interpreters on the stage which made the proceedings accessible to the deaf and mute community as well.

Image Credits: Srivedant Kar for DU beat

Srivedant Kar

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Sharda University students denied admit card

By Joyee Bhattacharya May 1, 2017

Students at Sharda University were denied their admit card for their examinations due to low attendance, this led to a campus wide protest of the students against the staff. Over the past week, Sharda University had disbarred around 100 students from appearing for the upcoming examinations on the provision that they had failed to fulfil the necessary criteria of 65% attendance. Under this provision, students with 50%-65% attendance will be able to appear for examinations if they sign an undertaking/bond promising that they would improve their attendance next semester. Hence, in the following semesters the necessary attendance becomes 75%.

On Saturday, around 150 students got into a fight with the security personnel while entering the campus. The university authorities called the police helpline for immediate assistance, but failed in lodging a complaint against the students. The students also say that the university had allegedly created a ‘student benefit fund’ clause to the undertaking due to which all erring students have to pay Rs.10,000-Rs.30,000. The welfare fund will receive this amount if the student fails to acquire the necessary attendance. The fund is meant to cultivate welfare within the students and the staff. Due to which, the students allege that the university management extorts them unwillingly.

Many students say that their low attendance was due to genuine problems, such as suffering from illnesses and attending to urgent and unavoidable family matters. They were also willing to show their medical prescriptions to the management, but the authorities did not agree. Even those who have 63% attendance are being asked to pay Rs.10,000 along with the undertaking. Following these events, the management said that students will be fined only if they fail to attain necessary attendance in the next semester. Late in the evening, the management decided to let erring students appear for the exams from Monday by making them sign an undertaking, without the deposit.

The issue of attendance has become a rising concern within all Universities, including the colleges in DU. Different colleges undertake different mechanisms for dealing with low attendance, due to which there is a lack of uniformity within the administration of all colleges. Some colleges are lenient with their attendance policies and do not create a fuss regarding low attendance, but certain colleges are very strict regarding their attendance policies, due to which their students are made to sign undertakings. These increasing cases of attendance mishaps across colleges and universities call for a necessary change in the system, it seems.

Photo Credits: Hindustan Times

Joyee Bhattacharya

([email protected])

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A Beautiful Journey at DU Beat – Aditya Rathore, Design Head (2016-17)

By DU Beat May 1, 2017

I still remember the day when I was called for my DU Beat interview. After 3 continuous rejections, it actually happened. But why did I so badly want to get into DUB? Because I used to think that this organisation has rockstars in its team and damn, I was right!
Had it not been for DU Beat it might have taken me a lot more time to discover what I love doing. Thank you DUB for making my college life a beautiful journey and giving me a bunch of amazing people as friends who are passionate about what they do. Each moment spent here will be missed :’)

Signing off

Aditya Rathore
Design Head 2016-17

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