DUTA criticises move to introduce 5-year integrated course on journalism

Delhi University's decision to introduce the five year integrated course on Journalism has already run into trouble, as the Delhi University Teacher's Association (DUTA), has criticised the move to introduce the self financing course as it would turn the public funded universities into teaching shops.

The DU officials had introduced the five year course which will allow students to pursue a Bachelors and Masters degree in journalism.

Further, the five year course also offers multiple entry and exit point for students who wish to drop out and pursue the course at a later stage in life.

However, DUTA has pointed the UGC letter of June 15, in which it was found that the university had not received any grants to convert these into regular courses.

The teacher's body has demanded that the university should start new courses and centres only when funding from the UGC is promised.

Running courses on guest and ad-hoc faculty adversely impacts teachers, students and the institution.

A press release sent by the DUTA President Nandita Narain, has pointed out that the university already provides BA (Hons) Journalism and Bachelor of Mass Media and Mass Communication through Faculty of Applied Social Sciences and Humanities.

The decision to introduce the five year course is in itself a policy decision and has not been debated in statutory bodies.

"We see the rushed exercise of starting these courses and Schools as implementation of the Government's agenda.

The Academic Council should deliberate the issue in the light of the UGC Draft Regulations 2017 and the UGC letter of 15 June 2017.

A university which has failed to fill over 4500 vacant positions cannot afford to further ad-hocism by opening self-financing courses and centres. We appeal to members, Academic Council not to approve these courses.

The Delhi University should start new courses or centres only if the Undergraduate Courses promises funding for the required teaching and non-teaching posts and infrastructure," the release further stated.