campus
Bid to privatise education raises hackles
Smriti Kak

As “if the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) proposed Model Act was not enough, the decision to withdraw the Extended College Scheme has further compounded the ire of the academic lot. They contend that the UGC, instead of encouraging higher education, is scuttling its development and expansion.

In the week that went by, the Delhi University, taking a cue from JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia, erupted in protests against the UGC’s Model Act and the move to implement the common entrance tests for professional courses. Teachers and students got together, registering their protest through verbal tirades against what they perceive is an attempt to commercialise and privatise higher education.

“It is staring us in the face, the slow but steady approach of the government to wash its hands off the responsibility of providing education. No wonder UGC only talks of colleges generating their own funds”, pointed out a senior university faculty member.

He adds: “The latest decision, to withdradw the Extended College Scheme, is another indication that the education sector is in trouble. By cutting down on grants, the UGC is arm twisting the colleges to cut down the number of admissions and also increase fees”.

And with more people thinking alike on the issue, the protests are turning from murmurs to resounding disapproval. The DUTA, FEDCUTA and the student’s bodies have all announced a complete bandh on the 22nd of this month. “We are going to protest and on the 21st we will stage a two-hour protest in every college of the DU. This mindless action of the MHRD will not be tolerated”, said an angry DUTA President, Aditya Narayan Misra.

The students are also an unhappy lot. The withdrawal of the Extended Colleges Scheme means fewer intakes in colleges and probably more fees: the sentiment ranges from worry to anger.

VC’s decision opposed

The Academics for Action and Development (AAD), a group of teachers have raised objections to the Vice-Chancellor’s decision to appoint Prof Bhargava as the HoD of the Political Science department.

In a statement issued here, the Chairman of AAD, Dr S. S. Rathi, has said that the DU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Deepak Nayyar has “lost the moral authority to govern the university.”

Among the reasons for this, he cites are the suspension of the amendments to the DU ordinances XVIII and XX by the President on January 7, 2004 and the Delhi Court’s orders quashing the appointment of Prof Bharagava.

It was pointed out that Prof Nayyar has got the DU ordinances XVIII and XX amended “so as to assume power of sending experts of his choice as well as to have majority of the University’s nominees in all the selection committees in colleges”. However, the ordinance was suspended by the President on September 12, 2002, asking the university to reconsider the matter. The university, however, resurrected the suspended ordinance on the May 30, but it has again been suspended by the President.

As for the appointment of Prof Bharagava, it has also caused ripples with the High Court having refused to honour the appointment twice.

Marketing Congress

The Union Minister for Labour, Dr. Sahib Singh, will inaugurate the 31st World Marketing Congress on ‘CIS-East Europe and India: Synergies and Economic Cooperation’ scheduled for February 3.

The Congress is being organised by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations and has been endorsed by the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and others.

Lt. Governor Vijai Kapoor would be the Chief Guest on the occasion, which will include speakers from various countries. Some of the prominent speakers will include the ambassador of Uzbekistan, ambassador of Armenia and Vice Chancellor of Jammu University, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, and Mr. S S Kohli, CMD, Punjab National Bank.

Fashion lessons for journalists

Fashion journalists can sharpen their skills in this workshop.

The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) might see it as an exercise aimed at the all round development of all major industry stakeholders, but it could well be time for media to learn a few lessons in the essentials of fashion.

While to many the ‘journalism of fashion’ may not be of consequence, but it is a genre not to be easily dismissed. And with fashion acquiring the proportions it has of late, it only makes sense to sharpen the skills of those who have the power to make or mar both the design as well as the designer.

The FDCI has announced a two-day fashion Appreciation Workshop for journalists starting February 3. The workshop, claims FDCI, will “cover various topics to facilitate a better understanding of fashion design, which includes the Evolution of Indian costume, business of fashion, interpretation of trend forecasts and fashion reporting among others”.

And teaching the media these lessons will be senior academia from NIFT, experts from the industry and senior fashion designers.

Diploma in insurance

The Centre for Management Education (CME), under the aegis of All India Management Association (AIMA), has introduced a one-year Professional Diploma in Insurance Management (PDIn). The curriculum and courseware for this programme has been exclusively designed and developed by the National Insurance Academy (NIA), Pune, for AIMA.

The course is beneficial for those contemplating a career in insurance management in various segments of the industry, including life insurance and other financial services, general insurance, risk management, marketing or sales.

The programme, it is claimed, will enhance career opportunities for insurance professionals and also improve management standards and performance within the industry.

Applications have been invited for the January 4 session, candidates with a bachelor’s degree or a three-year diploma are eligible to apply for the programme. Forms can be obtained by making cash payment of Rs.300 or sending a DD for Rs. 350 favouring `AIMA-CME’, payable at New Delhi. The forms can also be downloaded from the institutes website, www.aima-ind.org/pdin.htm. The Last date for sending applications is Jan 20, 2004.

Aptech ties up With AIESEC

Aptech has entered into a tie up with AIESEC, the largest network of youth, to enable Aptech students and alumni to avail global internship services of AIESEC.

As per the communiqué, students pursuing education at any Aptech brand, including Aptech computer eduaction, Arena Multimedia, etc are eligible to apply for the global internship programme of AIESEC in India. AIESEC is at present available in 11 cities across the country with 12 fully functional local offices.

Senior Vice President Aptech, Mr. Sufhir Mathur said, “The tie up will enable the Aptech students to garner international work experience, who will have access to the AIESEC global network of youth and organisations. Besides, Aptech and AIESEC will promote this partnership with companies and countries abroad to create greater internship opportunities for Aptech applicants”.

As part of the agreement, AIESEC will invite applications from all Aptech training institutes and organise special information seminar for students. Each applicant will be eligible for assessment and personal interview conducted by the AIESEC for screening, pointed out the VP of AIESEC in the country, Mr. Siddharth Pandey.