Sheila Dikshit hopeful about success of DU's new four-year course

NEW DELHI: Amid mounting criticism of Delhi University for "rushing through" the four-year undergraduate programme, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today appeared to support the decision and hoped that it would benefit the students academically.

"The four-year degree course is getting good response from the students. The innovations have opened new paths for advancement and progress of the students," Dikshit, herself an alumna of Delhi University, said.

She was speaking after inaugurating a job fair organised by the Delhi University Student Union in the DU campus.

Notwithstanding severe criticism of the programme and demands for deferring its implementation, the Delhi University has decided to introduce it from the current academic session for which the admission process has already started.

A section of DU teachers as well as several leading educationists, intellectuals and politicians have criticised the University for "rushing through" the course.

Eminent personalities, including former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Rajindar Sachar and veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar, have sought the Prime Minister's intervention to prevent "hurried" implementation of the programme.

Last week, senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley suggested that introduction of four-year graduation course be deferred for some time and extensive discussion be held among the academic community before the decision is implemented.

In her address, Dikshit said participation of 40 well- known companies in the job fair would help the students get "good offer".

"The students of the Delhi University are well taken in the race of employment as it has been imparting quality education," she said.

Speaker of Delhi Assembly Yoganand Shastri, AICC General Secretary Oscar Fernandes, DU Vice-Chancellor Dinesh Singh and DUSU President Arun Hooda were present on the occasion.

The chief minister complimented the DUSU for organising the "first ever" job fair in the university.