Centre not intervene in DU issue

new delhi: making it clear that the centre will not come in the way of du from introducing the four-year undergraduate course, the government said it will look into the concerns expressed by some sections but the momentum generated towards its implementation should not be derailed. any decision on differing the programme by a year will be left to the delhi university to decide as it is an autonomous institution, the government clarified. "we should not be seen as dictating them or question their wisdom. if they feel comfortable to go ahead, we don't want to come in the way," hrd minister m m pallam raju told reporters here. his statements came a day after minister of state for hrd shashi tharoor spoke on the same lines at the google hangout programme here. raju said the concerns expressed by dissenting groups have been discussed at length with du vice chancellor dinesh singh. the vc has assured that "things are going in the right direction", he said to persistent queries if his ministry plans to intervene on the issue. raju said there would always be resistance to changes in the country and that students need not be "alarmed". "we definitely don't want to derail the enthusiasm and momentum generated and certainly do not want to impinge on the academic authority and independence of the executive council of the university...about the concerns expressed, we are giving it deep thought and scrutiny and ensure it is addressed," he said. he, however, noted that the concerns were limited to the speed with which the programme was being implemented and the omissions of some key elements of the course but not for the new scheme per se. the new programme will entail awarding a diploma if a student exits after two years, a bachelor's degree after three years and a bachelor's degree with honours or a b tech degree on completion of four years. during an interaction on 'google hangout' yesterday, tharoor had said, "it is not healthy for our education system to tell a vc what he should do or not do. if the academic council said 'we disagree with the vc', he could not have gone his way. all we can do in the ministry is to see due process is followed." the four-year programme, the implication of which is being widely debated in the academic circle, has come in for criticism from du teachers as well even as it was endorsed by the varsity's academic council with an overwhelming majority. cpi(m) leader sitaram yechury had told reporters after meeting the pm with a delegation that prime minister manmohan singh sought to know why delhi university was "in a hurry" to extend the three-year bachelor's degree programme to four years. a joint action forum comprising leaders from sc, st and obc has also opposed it on the grounds that it will affect the career of students coming from the marginal section. on the protests against the new format, raju said, "we are looking into them very thoroughly and we are continuing to meet people. we want to be doubly sure that things are being done properly and at the right pace." from the ministry's point of view, he said it is watching what the academic and executive councils have done and whether they have followed the procedure and endorsed the programme. "i know the intention of the programme is right in terms of placement, proper career path. the logic of altering the course is aimed at increasing their employability prospects, providing soft skills, it exposure and multi-disciplinary approach. i don't have any doubt in believing the intention," raju said. he also supported the proposal according to which students will now have to take up 11 mandatory foundation courses and two discipline courses.