Dinesh Singh’s term as Delhi University Vice-Chancellor ended on Wednesday. He demitted office after serving as V-C for five years.
Mr. Singh, who studied mathematics at St. Stephen’s College, also served as Professor in the mathematics department and as director of south campus before taking over as V-C in 2010.
There were a number of controversies to his name during the five-year period, including introduction of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) and the recent Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS). Mr. Singh was also embroiled in controversies regarding financial and administrative irregularities.
He also remains the only V-C in DU’s 93-year-old history to be issued a show-cause notice by the Union Human Resource Development Ministry.
A number of positive initiatives like enhanced use of technology for studies, free Wi-Fi in college campuses, Gyanodaya express that took students to different parts of the country and the Antardhvani festival that brought the entire university together, were also initiated during his term. He also launched a community radio for the University just two days back.
Leaving the University with no regrets whatsoever, Mr. Singh felt there were certain steps he could have taken for the betterment of the students but was unable to.
“I wanted to bring in more advancement in terms of technology in the University, but that could not happen. My successors will do that job now,” Mr. Singh said.
On the FYUP controversy, he maintained that he had all necessary approval for the programme. Besides being issued a show cause notice, the Ministry also recommended Mr. Singh’s removal to the Visitor. A fresh row erupted earlier this month when the Ministry sought to send him on compulsory leave over allegations of his alleged involvement in the appointment of former ISRO chief K. Kasturirangan to the selection panel set up to choose his successor.
While no action was taken against Mr. Singh by the Visitor after the show-cause as well as the HRD recommendation, he was dropped from a delegation accompanying the President to Jordan, Palestine and Israel earlier this month.
Though the DU selection panel has not finalised a name for the new V-C, the varsity’s Pro-Vice Chancellor Sudhish Pachauri will take over as the acting V-C. However, the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) has alleged that Professor Pachauri cannot be made the acting V-C owing to charges of irregularities against him.
Meanwhile, DUTA, that organised numerous protests demanding Mr. Singh’s removal, organised a “good riddance day” to mark his exit.
I wanted to bring in more advancement in terms of technology in the University, but that could not happen. My successors will do that job now
