DTU clarifies on its status following students’ protests

The Delhi College of Engineering (DCE) is going through a transition. The college is in the process of transforming itself into a state university, Delhi Technological University (DTU) vide Delhi Government’s DTU Bill 2009.

Vice-chancellor of DU had already opposed the move. Now the students and some faculty members have also come out against conferring of the state university status on the college and have taken to streets.

Some 800 students gathered at the DTU campus. They demanded that the status be repealed for the benefit of students who consider it relevant to be affiliated to Delhi University for better placements and courses abroad.

The police had to resort to lathi charge to disperse the demonstrators. Following the lathi charge, the protest spilled over to the Ring Road at Prashant Vihar.

DTU vice chancellor, Prof PB Sharma has sought to clarify that all those students already enrolled with the curriculum of DU will continue to pursue their academic courses and would be given degrees on successful completion of their course. However, the new syllabus and new courses started in year 2009-10 will be under the status of DTU.

Public Relations Officer of DTU, Rashmi Sablania said while speaking to the National Network of Education (NNE):

"The present agitation against the upgradation of DCE to DTU is largely because of certain misunderstanding created by the authorities of DU."

Meanwhile, Rajib Ray, professor at Kirorimal College and also a member of executive council of DU, has filed a petition against the State government for the status of state university to DCE being unconstitutional.

The High Court has admitted the petition and the hearing has been slated for April14. The High Court has asked the Union of India, The government of NCT, Delhi, DTU and DU to clarify the observations made in the petition by then.