Despite its high brand value, DU’s limited financial aid creates a privilege bias, preventing many talented students from middle and lower-class backgrounds from participating in international competitions. The Dean Students’ Welfare has existed since years, but how much of ‘actual welfare’ has it offered to the students in need?
Founded in 1922, the University of Delhi has evolved through various eras since its inception. The education system has modernized, with the university keeping up with updates like the implementation of the NEP. However, outdated traditions and a lack of liberal mindset still prevents a lot of students from pursuing and succeeding in competitions they only can dream of. While the authorities celebrate university’s major jump to 328th position in the QS World Universities rankings, a lot of cards are still left to be explored. Research plays an integral part when it comes to university rankings. But are the students on campus receiving the benefits and research opportunities they really wish to pursue?
My own experience illustrates the broader issue of inadequate financial aid at DU. In July 2024, I received an acceptance letter to HPAIR’ 24 Asia Conference (Harvard Project on Asian and International Relations). Lacking a dedicated funding cell in my college (ILC, Faculty of Law), I sought assistance from the Dean Students’ Welfare (DSW). Unfortunately, the officials informed me that no financial aid was available,
We don’t have any such provisions for funding students.
The situation becomes even more significant to address when almost Rs. 16,980 are being extracted as the “University Welfare Fund” and Rs. 10,000 are extracted as “Faculty/ Department/ Student Welfare Fund” (According to the prospectus of BA/BBA LLB 2023-24). As a law student in the five-year integrated program, it was shocking to find when the application for financial aid was rejected, with the department citing a lack of provision for funding university students. Ironically, despite extracting substantial amounts from student fees, the department has not yet established a scheme to provide financial assistance to students. Another student from Faculty of Law adds,
As per my knowledge, there is no source of funding here in Faculty of Law. There is a common budget that DU divides amongst its colleges which is further distributed among the college societies and administration. We hardly get anything.
Similar observations can be noticed in the case of Faculty of Technology where students pursuing B.Tech are paying the same amount for welfare fund.
It is well-known that student societies and cells at DU often struggle with insufficient funding. As a result, these societies often have to rely on their own initiatives, such as hosting inter-college competitions and conferences to raise funds for annual events. On speaking to a few students and alumni of Delhi University, results reveal how the majority doesn’t even know what DSW is.
Is this something that exists in every college? To be honest, I didn’t even know that something like that exists. As far as competitions and events are concerned, we don’t receive any financial aid from JMC.
-Anonymous (Jesus and Mary College)
While colleges like Hindu have established scholarships for academic achievers, support for competitions and events remains limited.
No, the college doesn’t have a separate society that looks over financial aid for students and we did not reach out to DSW for any help regarding the same.
-Jogaram, a student from Hindu College
While some colleges do offer financial aid, the question remains: Is this support genuinely effective, or is it merely a facade of administrative formality?
Venky has a financial cell, though I don’t know its name. We didn’t need to approach the dean; a Google form was circulated for the application. The freeship is granted based solely on financial conditions such as family income and the death of a father, so there is no competitive process. A friend of mine received the aid, but only half of the fee was waived—despite having no father. The assistance ranged from 30-45% based only on family income.
-Azmat, a student from Sri Venkateswara College
Research is a crucial factor in university rankings. Delhi University, with its diverse student body, faces a pressing need to enhance financial support tailored to the specific requirements of each academic discipline. Law students encounter substantial costs for participating in international moot court and negotiation competitions, while commerce students require significant funding for start-ups, incubation programs, and other competitions. Each academic discipline has specific financial requirements. In enabling students to achieve global recognition and enhance the university’s prestige, Delhi University still struggles to provide adequate financial aid and support mechanisms to students.
Read also: DU’s Trend of Collapsing Ceilings Follows St. Stephen’s
Featured Image Credits: Abhishek Kumar (Google)
Samvardhan Tiwari
Comments are closed.