Outgoing DU VC to pen controversial tenure

Delhi University’s (DU) outgoing vice-chancellor Dinesh Singh is planning to document his controversial tenure in a book.

“I was exposed to so many things not only at the university level but at a global level. You hear so many viewpoints, you meet and talk to so many people there are so many facets that you don’t know about but are exposed to and forced to think. It may be worthwhile for my own benefit to try and write on my learnings from being a vice-chancellor. It would also be reflective of my idea of what higher education at a global level should be,” he said.

Singh, probably the most controversial VC in the 93-year existence of DU, said, the controversies did not affect him as he realised that he had to be prepared to deal with such issues if he takes up the position.

“You undertake a position like this and you handle certain issues like this. When you become a VC, you should take up the post with <g data-gr-id="26">full</g> realisation that all such issues will crop up. In a democratic <g data-gr-id="24">set up</g>, you should be ready for these things, one has to learn to take opposition and contradiction in your stride...I have no regrets..that is part of the job,” he said.

The vice-chancellor’s pet project – four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP) –which left him at loggerheads with the HRD Ministry, had nothing new in terms of inputs, he claimed. 

“There was nothing new in FYUP also...somebody thinks that there was a new idea that came out of the blue...these are tried and tested methods globally, they are all meant to address the needs of today in education," he said.