DSEU Fee Hike: The fee structure of the Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU) that was recently introduced has caused worry amongst the students and their parents especially the ones pursuing BCA (Bachelor of Computer Application). As the BCA course is now claimed to cost around Rs. 48,000 per semester, the students have pointed out that the fee is almost the same as charged by several other private universities but not the facilities which are not up to the mark.
The students have raised a question here – Is it right for a government university to charge fees of private universities without providing the same facilities?
Students Raise Concerns Over Basic Infrastructure
Some of the students have voiced their displeasure regarding the lack of adequate infrastructure on campus. Based on their complaints, there are various colleges that still lack adequate facilities that should be present in all higher institutions of learning.
The following are some of the issues raised by the students:
• Lack of adequate drinking water.
• Sanitation facilities such as urinals and washrooms which are alleged to be poorly maintained.
• Inoperative computers in computer laboratories.
• Unmaintained classrooms and general areas.
The students say that the above mentioned problems hinder their learning process, more specifically for BCA, where computer laboratories are important.
Computer Science Students Without Functional Computers?
Considering the nature of the course that is based on programming and software development, the availability of a computer lab equipped with computers is considered to be a necessity by students.
According to students, some computer labs have several defective computers, making it necessary for students to use either shared computers or their own laptops. They argue that practical learning becomes difficult without adequate facilities.
Comparisons With Private Universities
This has, therefore, naturally raised comparisons with private institutions where many of those paying similar amounts of fees offer facilities such as modern classroom, properly maintained laboratories, wireless internet across the institution, sanitary facilities and supportive student services.
Although fees may not be the measure of the quality of education, students feel that institutions charging similar fees should endeavor to offer the same kind of facilities.
Previous Student Protest Failed to Bring Lasting Change
These worries about infrastructure at DSEU are not a recent affair. Infact, much before also there had been a protest organized by students outside the DSEU Dwarka Campus, where the office of University's Dean is situated, demanding betterment in basic facilities and campus infrastructure.
As per the accounts of students participating in the protest, the university authorities assured them that the problem will be sorted out and that appropriate action will be taken in this regard without further delay. However, now the students are arguing that notwithstanding those assurances, many of the same problems persist.
Students are now pressurizing the university authorities to translate their assurances into reality and bring about some changes which are required, arguing that quality education requires safe, hygienic and well-equipped places of learning.
Many students and their parents are now demanding more openness about the revised fee structure and its utilization. The question is whether the money raised in the form of fee hike is being spent for the development of infrastructure, laboratories, sanitation etc.
Experts in education have often stressed that a fee hike should be associated with improvements in academic infrastructure.
Students Demand Better Value for Money
The issue is not just about the sum of money they are paying but rather about the quality of facilities which are worth the fee. They claim that paying nearly ₹48,000 per semester raises legitimate expectations of having a clean campus, functioning labs, basic facilities, and a healthy atmosphere for learning.
In spite of the ongoing debates on quality and affordability, students are expecting the university management to take appropriate actions in order to solve all of these problems. Being a government university, created with the purpose of fostering skills, it is of vital importance that the university guarantees quality education along with appropriate facilities.
