Semester system: New DU V-C and protesting teachers discuss impasse

The officer bearers of the Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) and the newly appointed vice chancellor, Dinesh Singh, met on Thursday to discuss the impasse regarding implementation of semester system in the 13 undergraduate science courses.

The officer bearers of the Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) and the newly appointed vice chancellor, Dinesh Singh, met on Thursday to discuss the impasse regarding implementation of semester system in the 13 undergraduate science courses.

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The DUTA members said the meeting was an indication towards an early resolution.

"We presented our case before the vice chancellor and maintained our position that the science courses under the semester system were passed illegally and therefore should not be taught. Beyond this there is nothing much to comment on," said Aditya Narayan Misra, president of DUTA.

When asked about the V-C's proposal that the university was open to suggestions from teachers about change in the course content of the science courses as reported by Hindustan Times on Thursday, Misra said, "There has been no concrete proposal about this as yet. We can take a call only when there is one."

Vinay Kumar Singh, secretary , DUTA, said the meeting was a positive move. “We are hopeful that with meetings like these an early resolution can be reached. The V-C gave us a patient hearing.”

Vice Chancellor Singh said though there might not be any substantial development to speak about at the moment, the fact that a process of dialogue between the university and the DUTA members have begun is a positive development.

The DUTA members, too, are hopeful that the process of dialogue will continue through further meetings, so that the semester issue can be resolved soon.

Meanwhile, around 25 principals of the various DU colleges met on Thursday to discuss the 'no work, no pay' circular sent by the varsity.

"We just took a stock of the colleges that have released the salaries for October keeping in mind the notice. Around 20 colleges seemed to have released the salaries with a five-day pay cut," said SK Garg, principal of Deen Dayal Upadhaya College and president of the principals' association.