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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nNew Delhi:<\/span> A Delhi govt-appointed committee probing complaints about the functioning of Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU) has found that diploma and degree programmes were \u201cmerged, discontinued, revived and upgraded without mandatory statutory approvals\u201d — findings that go to the heart of long-running allegations by faculty and students that academic restructuring at the university has been arbitrary and poorly governed.The observations are part of the committee\u2019s first report, which is slated to be submitted to Delhi govt. They assume significance as they come amid years of controversy surrounding DSEU, a flagship institution launched in 2020 with the stated aim of expanding affordable skill-based and employment-oriented education by bringing together Delhi\u2019s govt polytechnics, technical institutes and skill centres under a single university framework.The merger, however, has remained contentious. Faculty members from erstwhile govt polytechnics have repeatedly questioned the rationalisation, closure and introduction of diploma programmes, arguing that frequent restructuring has affected student intake and undermined the traditional role of polytechnic education as an affordable pathway to employment for students from economically weaker backgrounds.The committee itself was constituted in Dec last year following repeated complaints alleging malpractice and governance lapses in the university\u2019s functioning. Among other issues, it was tasked with examining the impact of the merger of govt polytechnics and technical institutions with DSEU.In its report, the committee identified what it termed \u201csignificant irregularities and procedural deficiencies\u201d in academic governance. It found that several diploma programmes were merged into consolidated courses without being placed before the Academic Council as required under the DSEU Act. It also noted that some programmes were discontinued and later revived without documented justification, while others were upgraded from diploma to degree programmes without prior approval from the Academic Council.Among the other major concerns flagged by the panel was the alleged non-implementation of tuition fee waivers for SC\/ST students in accordance with govt policy. The committee also noted that fee levels at DSEU were substantially higher than those charged by the erstwhile govt polytechnics that now form part of the university.The report further pointed to admissions exceeding approved intake capacities in certain diploma programmes. It also found that intake capacities of programmes had been increased or reduced across academic years without evidence of mandatory statutory approvals.The panel additionally flagged changes in programme nomenclature, saying course titles inherited from the erstwhile Board of Technical Education were altered without adequate academic deliberation or clear justification, potentially creating confusion among students, employers and other stakeholders.The committee also raised concerns over infrastructure and staffing. It noted that certain newly introduced or upgraded programmes lacked adequate laboratory facilities and qualified faculty. It further questioned the discontinuation of entrance examinations for diploma and postgraduate admissions in later years, citing the absence of a clearly recorded policy rationale.In Feb, TOI<\/span> reported that five years after its launch, DSEU had witnessed a sharp decline in student intake alongside seat closures, including the elimination of all 802 girls-only diploma seats.The university has also witnessed protests and representations from students, and faculty over fee-related issues and administrative decisions in recent years.A committee member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the panel\u2019s observations so far were based on records furnished by the university. \u201cThese are preliminary observations based on the information made available to us. Additional information has been sought, following which the committee will finalise its recommendations and submit its report to the authorities,\u201d the member told TOI<\/span>.The committee noted that information furnished by DSEU during the inquiry was often \u201cvague\u201d and incomplete and has sought additional records from both the university and the Department of Training and Technical Education.DSEU vice-chancellor Ashok Nagawat said the university was unaware of any final observations made by the committee. \u201cWe have ensured compliance with all provisions relating to admissions and the launch of programmes from the 2024-25 academic session onwards,\u201d he added.<\/div>\n