The rescheduled mid-semester examinations of Delhi Technological University (DTU), formerly Delhi College of Engineering (DCE), began today and 602 of final year (VIIIth semester) students appeared in the exam. However, only 21 students of Ist and IIIrd year and 14 students of IInd year appeared in the exams, held today.

The University had made all the necessary arrangements for smooth conduct of the exams. As per the information received by the University authorities, the agitating leaders belonging to final year, including Mr. Ravishekhar, Mr. Shashank Lodhi, Mr. Pankaj Mishra, Mr. Nitin Baraiya and Mr. Mirza Faraz Alam, who had stopped the students from appearing in theexams on 15th of March, 2010, (when the mid-semester exams were originally scheduled), have themselves appeared in the examination today, ditching their juniors belonging to Ist, IInd and IIIrd year. It is strange thatfinal year students are protecting their own careers and have bagged 520 (approx.) job offers in leading organizations through DTU, while they have blatantly pushed their juniors on the path of agitation. It is also ironical that thefinal year student leaders first made campus placements a major issue to justify their demands for conversion of DTU to DCE despite the fact that they had received around 500 offers from 90 reputed companies before they began their agitation on March 4, 2010. The total job offers received as of now is about 520 from over 100 companies.

The DTU authorities and Board of Management (BOM), senior officials of Delhi Government and Hon’ble Chief Minister of Govt. of Delhi, herself has given a patient hearing to the agitatingleaders, and clearly stated that their demand for the reversal of DCE’s upgradation to DTU is non-negotiable. The student leaders had agreed to withdraw their agitation after meeting the Hon’ble Chief Minister but have defied all the advice and succeeded in stopping their juniors from appearing the mid-semexams, while they themselves appeared today.

The students also know that their demands are unreasonable as ever since DCE has become DTU, initiatives like curriculum innovation, upgradation of infrastructure, establishment of Innovation Fund for research and, merit scholarships for the toppers, increased opportunities for internship, better campus placement in MNC’s and PSU’s and tie-ups with industry majors and R&D organizations including National Physical Laboratory, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Intellectual Ventures and Freescale Semiconductors, among others, have happened and benefited the student community of DTU. It is beyond comprehension that the student community, which was so happy with these developments and conducted all academic, professional and cultural activities under banner of DTU with much fan-fare during last seven months, suddenly decided to disrespect the academic calendar and disrupt the normal activities at the campus. The possibility of outside hands in misguiding the students cannot be ruled out.

DTU authorities had made it amply clear that the rescheduled mid-semester exams are the last opportunity for students enrolled in undergraduate engineering courses, to appear in the mid-semester exams, and the students and parents were advised to avail this opportunity. It is once again reiterated that those who fail to appear in the ongoing mid-semesterexams will forfeit their mid-sem marks, which account to the 20% marks of the total semester score.

DTU authorities once again appeal to the students and parents to encourage their wards for appearing in the remaining of the mid-semester exams (exams will continue till April 3, 2010) so that they may not suffer an irreparable loss. It is hoped that the above advice will be taken with all seriousness by the students and their parents.

The University has also observed that the agitating leaders have stopped students at Metro Stations of Rithala and Rohini and have kept them occupied at Swaranjayanti Park (Japanese Park) till after the commencement of the examinations. A few students escaped their clutches and succeeded in reaching examination centre in DTU campus, who appeared in theexams , today. “It is advisable for the parents of local students to not only counsel their wards but also accompany them if possible to DTU campus, so that no one is able to prevent them from reaching the campus for exam,” said Prof. B.D. Pathak, Senior Dean and Superintendent, Examination, DTU.

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