DUTA opposes self financing, reduction in MPhil seats

Members of the Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) voiced their anger against a UGC letter issued on June 15. As per a new clause (Clause 6.5 of the UGC Regulations) the UGC stated that it will not be funding teaching and non-teaching staff for newly introduced courses. It also stated that there will be a reduction in the number of MPhil seats.

The letter further added that colleges could start new courses with the approval of Delhi University but it had to be within their existing strength of both teaching and non-teaching staff.

Reacting to the UGC's letter, DUTA president Nandita Narain said that the association vehemently opposed self-financing courses on Journalism & Cyber Law and adoption of the restrictive clause on MPhil seats. Narain also claimed that withdrawal of public funding shows the lack of government commitment to provide affordable quality education.

"DUTA also sees Clause 6.5 of the UGC Regulations on MPhil and PhD as a way to reduce funding towards research. This clause should be rejected and University of Delhi should pursue the matter with the UGC," said the DUTA president.

Meanwhile, in a meeting to be held on June 20, the Academic Council will include the proposal of the Department of Adult Continuing Education & Extension for the introduction of Five Year Integrated Course on Journalism from the Academic Session and One Year Post Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security and Law (PGDCSL) from the Academic Session 2017-2018.