EDUCATION

CAMPUS
DTF expresses reservations over concept papers
Smriti Kak

THE Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF) has expressed reservations over the UGC’s concept paper titled, ‘Towards Formulation of Model Act for Universities of the 21st Century in India’.

In a statement issued by the DTF, it notes the paper and the time of its presentation “indicate an ongoing assault on the publicly funded higher education by the government and highlights the nefarious desire of the government to privatise and commercialise the sector.”

Further is says, “the concept paper explicitly notes, ‘the steady reduction in Government funding of the universities’, but makes no evaluation of the implications of this trend for the role that the higher education system is to play in the nation’s progress”.

The DTF signatories have called the Model Act proposed by the paper, an instrument for bringing about radical changes in the modes of financing and governance of institutions of higher education and in their orientation, changes that are logical corollaries of the commodification of higher education.

The UGC’s move of seeking feedback from the universities and institutions of higher learning has also been criticised, the DTF alleged that most institutions received the concept paper a fortnight before the last date of filing, thereby giving them no time for a national debate on the issue.

DU professor to head National Law Institute Delhi University Professor Mool Chand Sharma’s appointment as the head of the National Law Institute University (NLIU) at Bhopal has been approved by the Chief Justice of India, Justice V. N. Khare. Prof Sharma, who currently holds the position of In-charge, Campus Law Centre, will join a NLIU as Director on December 18. The DU professor’s name was recommended by a search committee comprising eminent jurists, including Justice J. S. Verma and Fali S Nariman. Prof Sharma has held important posts including National Consultant with the UGC, Advisor to National Human Rights Commission, expert legal advisor to Law Commission of India, Joint Registrar (Research) with the Supreme Court, Registrar of Delhi University and Advisor to Ford Foundation. He has also been visiting professor in several universities including University of Chicago, University of Kentucky and Georgetown University. Professor B. S. Chimney of Jawaharlal Nehru University too has been appointed Director of National University of Juridical Sciences at Kolkata. Prof Chimney, presently with the School of International Studies, is known for his extensive research in the area of Refugee Law.

INSO protest

Keeping a close watch on the functioning of the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU), the Indian National Students Organisation (INSO) has given a thumbs down to the NSUI led DUSU for its “failure to achieve anything worthwhile”.

The press secretary of INSO, Priyanka Arora, who was an also ran in the last elections complained that despite having completed “100 days in office” the DUSU has not been able to fulfil any of its promises.

Acting their part as a constructive opposition, the INSO claims that while their counterparts in office are yet to live up to their promise, their party has managed to convince Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr O. P. Chautala to announce insurance policy as well as U specials.

“NSUI promised more U specials, Insurance scheme for students, but have done nothing so far. While we have on our request led the Haryana Government to announce free insurance scheme for students and three U specials have begun plying for students from Faridabad, Gurgaon and Bahadurgarh,” claimed Arora.

And INSO has planned more than just registering complaints. It has a signature campaign all planned. Activists seeking the realisation of the promises made by the NSUI will seek the signatures of the students across the DU campus for the entire week, which will be called the ‘Signature Campaign Week’.

Does it call for the NSUI to postpone the celebrations of 100 days in office!

Comp certification

New Delhi Computer Society of India, the largest association of IT professionals in India and ATTEST, a division of Aptech Ltd, announced the launch of a series of vendor-neutral certifications for various IT-related skills, to fulfil the needs of the government, various organisations and individuals.

The first in this series is CSI’s IT-Q or the Computer proficiency certification, which will be followed by certifications on Programming Skills, Database Management Skills, Networking Skills and other related skills. This is being done in conjunction with ATTEST, the Testing Division of Aptech Limited.

CSI has set up an academic panel to monitor the relevance of the tests to prevalent industry standards, which is headed by Professor C. R. Muthukrishnan of IIT, Chennai. The tests will be delivered online using the ATTEST network.

Air Marshal M Mc Mohan, PVSM, AVSM, VM, and ADC Vice-Chief of the Air Staff launched the IT-Q test at the CSI Annual Convention in Delhi. Among those present on the occasion were Anand Pathak, President of CSI; Prof. C.R. Muthukrishnan, chairman of the Academic Panel; Mr Deepak Shikarpur Executive Director of CSI; and Mr K. Raj, Head, ATTEST (Aptech Limited).

Speaking on the occasion, Prof C. R. Muthukrishnan said, “This is the first certification and we aim to extend it to other areas like programming, databases and networking. IT-Q has been approved by the academic panel, which comprises a judicious mix of representatives from both the industry and academia.”

PAF’s celebrations

Pearl Academy of Fashion (PAF) is organising Continuum ’03 to mark their 10th anniversary celebrations. Union Minister for Textiles Mr Shanawaz Hussain will inaugurate the event at the Convention Hall, Hotel Ashoka on December 18.

Member Parliament Menaka Gandhi will inaugurate Continuum ’03 showcasing landmarks in evolution of PAF- a pictorial display of best works of some students. The event will continue till the 20th of this month.

Training programme

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital has announced the initiation of a comprehensive training programme for Cardiac Life Support.

The first ever programme will be conducted in association with the American Heart Association, USA.

Targeted at medical practitioners and paramedics the course encapsulates extensive training in accordance with AHA’s internationally accepted guidelines and is being provided at Apollo and the successful candidates will be issued certificates valid world wide for a period of two years.

Amity holds seminar

Dr Tahir Mahmood, Chairman of Amity Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Ms Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, and Dr J. C. Batra, senior advocate of Supreme Court, at the round-table organised by Amity Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.