DU teachers raise key issues with VC
A delegation from the Indian National Teachers’ Congress (INTEC) met Prof Yogesh Singh, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delhi, to discuss pressing concerns affecting the academic environment. Led by INTEC chairman Prof Pankaj Garg, the delegation addressed issues such as lack of uniform seniority guidelines for the college faculty, discriminatory allocation of PhD students, delays in notifying mandatory generic elective papers for postgraduate admissions and several staff welfare matters.
Prof Garg stated, “The absence of standardised seniority guidelines has created unnecessary divisions among faculty members, hindering the collaborative academic environment that we strive for.”
Major Concerns
- Lack of uniform seniority guidelines for college faculty
- Discriminatory allocation of PhD students
- Delays in notifying mandatory generic elective papers
Another issue discussed was the discriminatory approach taken by some university departments regarding the allocation of PhD students to college teachers. This practice, Prof Garg explained, was discouraging faculty members from engaging in research, as the ability to supervise PhD students is often a requirement for promotion to higher faculty positions. “Some departments limit the number of Ph D students college teachers can supervise, or worse, do not recognise them as supervisors at all,” he said.
The delegation also raised concerns over the delay in notifying generic elective papers for postgraduate admissions, a decision made during the executive council meeting on July 27. According to the university’s notification released in August 2024, each department is to identify three mandatory generic elective papers for admission, but no such papers have been announced yet.
“Despite the committees being set up, their reports are still pending, which only delays the resolution of these critical matters,” he added.
