SBSC inaugurated the new infrastructure under principal Prof. Atree to enhance the college’s facilities and support the academic needs of its students.
On 22 July 2024, Shaheed Bhagat Singh College celebrated the inauguration of its new infrastructure under Principal Prof. Arun Kumar Attree. The event was joined by Delhi University’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh as the Chief Guest, Prof. Shri Prakash, Director South Campus, Prof. Balram Pani, Dean of Colleges, and Dr. Vikas Gupta, Registrar, along with the faculty members, students, and invited guests.
The infrastructural additions include multiple air-conditioned classrooms equipped with smartboards, multipurpose halls, and sports blocks. With this initiative, the college is aiming for greater engagement and academic achievement. The college hopes to offer students access to the latest tools and materials necessary for their academic development by incorporating technology and resources. In conversation with DU Beat, Prof. Attree shares his take on infrastructure and the NEP,
“No academic institution can grow academically without the support of the infrastructure. So, infrastructure is the basic thing that one should provide. It is the responsibility of every administrator that they work on the infrastructure. But I feel that providing infrastructure to the students and the teachers is the first responsibility, and in fact, the institutions exist first for the students. So, in this step, definitely we are all going to support the NEP.”
Inadequate funding to colleges has always been one of the primary concerns of all faculty members across DU. The issue comes to light, especially with the ongoing problems in funding and governance of 12 DU colleges by the state government. Most recently, such shortages were noted during the summer semester exams, where many students were taking exams during the heatwave.
Attree adds on the role of infrastructure:
“As I have already mentioned, infrastructure is the basic thing that provides the platform where the students can explore their true potential. Students want to come to the college, but when they see that the classes, benches, board, etc. are in bad condition, they are discouraged. It’s like you send a soldier on the war front and you say that you don’t have the weapon. So you have to provide that infrastructural support. Infrastructure helps in creating an ecosystem, an academic environment where everybody wants to come and learn.”
The earlier additions to the college such as water coolers during the peak summer time had raised the students’ expectations only to be shattered by the news of lizard infestation in the coolers due to poor maintenance. Therefore, the new infrastructure and the principal’s address have received a lukewarm response from the students.
Recognising skill enhancement as one of the key elements for his plans regarding SBSC in the coming months, Atttree shares,
“There is a skill development centre that we already have in the college, and there is a career development centre also. And in the next three months, we are going to start a project where there will be a bakery, where the students will learn how to bake, and students will learn how to do editing and digital marketing.”
Attree has been infamous in the news for starting the harsh attendance policy among DU colleges. In conversation with DU Beat, he further states his reasons behind the policy,
“A student pays 15,000-17,000 rupees per week. And do you have an estimate of how much the government spends on a student? The government spends around 2 lakh rupees per annum on a student, and the student is paying 15,000-17,000. If in a class, if 60 students are there and only 20 students are coming, 40 students, those who are not coming, it is a loss to the government of India. There are students, those who could have availed of these opportunities.
Attree also talked about policies adopted in SBSC to help the students. SBSC mandates all its professors to notify students 48 hours prior regarding the cancellation of lectures, along with strict punctuality.
Vice-chancellor Yogesh Singh who was also present at the event weighed in on his views about student activism and journalism,
“ We need patriotic journalists who understand the problems of our country and then provide the right kind of perspective. Positive criticism is fine but we should not create unnecessary confusion and chaos. We are all sons and daughters of this country and we must work in the direction of PM’s Viksit Bharat by 2047’’
Singh also downright denied the allegation regarding the commercialisation of education under NEP and expressed his views in the following statement,
“We are in the third year of implementation of NEP, many good things are happening but the results will come after a few years because this period involves investment and guidance in the proper direction”
However, the current state of most DU colleges suggests otherwise. Roof collapses, and unsanitary canteens among other issues have become routine news for students. The existing infrastructure in most colleges barely supports the needs of the students’ core disciplines, let alone support newer courses under NEP. The New Education Policy has received criticism from both student and teacher bodies due to its unplanned and hasty implementation and minimal guidelines from the University about its proper framework.
Featured Image Credits: Madhur for DU Beat
DU Beat