Numerous self-governing educational institutions intend to take a slew of measures including a hike in the tuition fee and charging a fee for internet usage as the government has asked them to generate additional wherewithal from the students. This move was announced a day after the release of a circular by the HRD Ministry stating that there would be a mandatory reduction of 10 percent in non-plan expenditure in the period 2009-10 as a part of the austerity drive and these organizations must extract money from students through strategies like raising the tuition fee and even withdrawal of hostel subsidies to name a few.

Prof Deepak Pental, Vice Chancellor of the Delhi University adds, “We would like to revise it. Besides, we will take user charges for internet.” Though there are bound to be a lot of changes, no final verdict has been given. He explains further, “The matter of fee revision will go to the academic council which is the apex body to take a decision on the matter.” IIT has already adopted a few steps which include charging students for power usage in hostels as well as internet.

Delhi university, in a recently established agreement with a non profit organization, Dhriti has introduced an entrepreneurship course in certain colleges across the varsity. A three-month entrepreneurship course was initiated in SRCC, and then went on to be conducted in Ramjas, Gargi and Miranda House. The specialty of this course is that instead of just sticking to conventional theoretical practice and guest lectures; it encourages the students to initiate their own venture with the help of a live project. Dhriiti is a unique organisation that promotes and protects Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and helps build and create a spirit of entrepreneurship amongst the next generation of Indians, the youth.

How do I make money out of my passion? What if I start my own business? But how? What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur? Who’ll support me?

If these are the questions which come into your mind every now and then and if you think you have the aptitude to start your own venture, then you don’t need to stop on these questions anymore, for all you wanted to know about entrepreneurship is now be available to you in Delhi University.

The concept of entrepreneurship among the youth is a highly new concept in India while it has been going on successfully in the US and its counterparts since a long period, and this course is here to promote just that.

The next session starts in the third week of October in LSR. Colleges like Miranda House and LSR have also started their own entrepreneurship cell to promote entrepreneurship among its students. Ambika Ghughe, President of the Entrepreneurship Cell in Miranda House states, “Academic inclination in Delhi University is high, but not directly in tune with what is required in the real world. Students, through this initiative, get the feel of how initiatives are taken in a corporate world, and view the same not from the point of view of an employee but an employer.” The cell has also recently collaborated with the Miranda House Vatavaran Project dealing with recycling and plans to take it on a higher level.

The students also get the opportunity to interact with prospective funders based on the credibility of their project via the course. The course is also supplemented with an exposure trip to study the working of an enterprise. Last year the students were taken to the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF). All that the students require to be a part of this course is to have the attitude, aptitude, an idea, and the zeal to bring it to life.

The Delhi University, in collaboration with the British Council took part in the UKIERI-Study India Programme between 7^th September and 10^th September. Four colleges from DU, namely St.Stephens, Kirori Mal College, Shri Ram College of Commerce and Sri Venkateswara College took part in this exchange programme. Students from various Universities across Britain came to India for a three week study tour.

On the first day, Mr.Deepak Pental, Vice Chancellor of DU, addressed the students on the agrarian crisis, which was well received, by the students from DU and Britain. It was then followed by a presentation by an Official from the Department of Food on the food crisis in India and its effects which in turn was followed by DU Darsan, an initiative by SIFE where they saw many historic monuments in and around North Campus.

On the second day students went to the respective colleges they had been assigned to. In SRCC, they had a lecture with Mr. Amit Sachdeva (who also won the Best Teacher award in DU this year and was felicitated by APJ Abdul Kalam) . It was an interactive and fun learning session, the format being new for the British students as well. The students voiced their views on the agrarian crisis after which the SRCC street play ‘Grameen’ was performed.

The next day, there was an interactive session on ad campaigns in India by Dr. Amit Sachdeva. The ads that were screened predictably amused and bewildered the exchange students for the unfamiliar content, message and emotions they conveyed. The afternoon saw a visit to the Parliament House Museum and the library. The museum has recreated the entire freedom movement including a model of the central hall where the audience could sit and listen to Nehru’s “Tryst with destiny” speech.

The last day saw an interactive session between the Indian and British students where they discussed Culture, Economy, Politics and of course Bollywood.  The dialogue went very well often witnessing a consensus on various issues. Last but not least was the Cultural Programme which included performances ranging from the various renditions of Vande mataram to the Panache Dance performance, SRCC Band Illusions, and the Appadi Po da dance.

The exchange programme was a resounding success and truly an experience worth having. The Indian students now hope they get a chance to visit Britain.