Students opt for other universities after DU-UGC row

New Delhi, June 27 (IANS) The row between the UGC and Delhi University over a four-year undergraduate programme may have ended, but several students are planning to take admission in other universities.

Although there are no estimates to their numbers, several students are believed to have either taken admission elsewhere or move back to their states.

"I have already taken admission in Mumbai University as it seemed as if Delhi University controversy will take another one week to get resolved," said Akonthung Murry, a student from Nagaland.

Murry is among the half a dozen students IANS spoke with to gauge their mood after DU dropped its controversial four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP) Friday.

The varsity has now restored the three-year programme.

"I had applied to the Delhi University just because of the comprehensive FYUP. Now as DU has scrapped it, I want to enrol myself in some other university back in Pune," said Priya Dhule, a native of Pune.

She said that though the FYUP was a controversial initiative by the varsity, she and many of her friends were eager to enrol themselves for the course.

"I wanted to study in Delhi University, whether it is the FYUP or the three year degree course. But the controversy panicked me and today morning my father paid fees for Manav Rachna International University. Again, waiting for Delhi university admissions means a loss of Rs.55,000", said Sikha Yadav, a native of Bihar, who wanted to study Political Science in Ramjas college.

Priya Gohain scored 97 percent in her 12th boards and has opted for a BSc degree in Chemistry from the Jamia Milia Islamia.

Apart from the delay in the admission process, the high cut-off percentage has also put students in a dilemma, whether they should wait or to take admission in other universities.

"I scored 89 percent in my 12th boards. I had also filled up forms in other universities where I was sure to get admission. Now, with the delay, I do not want to wait for it any more", said Jezan Ali Ahmed, who will be moving back to Kashmir.

"In case the cut-off is high, I won't get admissions and by the time something happens, all other universities will also close their admission process," he added.