“We have received proposals from two institutions to develop them as independent universities. These included Netaji Subhash Institute of Technology (NSIT) and Pharmaceutical institute DIPSR. We are considering the proposal”, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit told fachcha.com.

However, Chief Minister, who is also Delhi’s Higher Education Minister, denied that any proposal has come from St. Stephen’s College. No proposal has come from St. Stephen’s as yet. I came to know about college’s intention to upgrade as university through media only, she said.

May be, they (St. Stephen’s) get fund from the centre so they would like to upgrade as central university, she says adding that if any proposal come from the college her government would certainly consider it.

Both the institutes are currently under Delhi University and enjoy reputation as national institutions. The NSIT runs several engineering programmes at graduation and post-graduation level. These include Electronics & Communication, Computer, Instrumentation, IT, Bio-technology and others. There is also a school of applied science in the institution.

The DIPSR is known as one of the best institutions in India in the field of pharmacy education. Apart from B.Pharm several other courses are conducted by the institution at the under graduate and post-graduate level. The 46 year old institution also impart education in the filed of Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics, Hospital Pharmacy and Quality Assurance at the post-graduate level.

The institute has planned to introduce some of the new and innovative courses at PG level. These include in the field of Management, Chemistry, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Research and other areas.

Process of converting one of the top engineering institutions in country and Delhi University’s only engineering institution Netaji Subhash Institute of Technology (NSIT) is already on. But has anybody asked students’ view about the conversion of a college into a new university. Is it a beneficial idea for them? Fachcha.com tried to get the view of students in this regard. Excerpts:

Shelki a first year student from Ramjas College says clearly no to such ideas. “No I want to keep myself with Delhi University. It has good reputation not in India but also in abroad. Being associated with Delhi University I have many opportunities to explore my avenues and enhance my skill”, she says.

Sanjay Kumar, a student of NSIT, Dwarka, says that many students have joined the institution despite their selection in IITs. This was due to its reputation and association with Delhi University. Growing as university is not a bad idea but rather than working on it the institution should fight for complete autonomy without dissociating itself with Delhi University. “I think nobody will oppose the idea in this regard”, he says.

Shashank Tiwari, another student of Ramjas College too has the similar kind of view as he says that the idea may be good to generate more funds but the it would be disastrous for students. “We are here because of Delhi University not because of other’s name. We do not want to lose this status”, he says.

“I do not know why St. Stephen’s college is working on it (to become a university). The college is already enjoying the highest autonomy within the DU framework”, says Namrta (name changed) a student of St. Stephen’s College.

Two other universities, Ambedkar University and National Law University were already been established in 2008. Government schools performed much better than the much- hyped Public schools, Central Schools and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya. Students of government schools have achieved 124 merit certificates in senior secondary examinations.

In a major step the HRD ministry decided to abolish the 10th board examination and made it optional. Establishment of 16 new central universities, decision to allow evening polytechnics and engineering college were major steps this year.