The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi Senate has taken a historic decision today to reject the decision of the Council with respect to admission process of IITs as it impinges on the autonomy of IIT senate. Surya Ragunaathan reports.
Even as IIT Kanpur decided to conduct their own autonomous entrance exam from 2013 for admissions to IIT Kanpur, one of the most awaited decisions was that of IIT Delhi. While there were speculations that Delhi and Bombay might join hands with Kanpur to fight against the government's decision, what resulted from today's IIT Dellhi Senate meeting is this.
In a rather courageous decision, the IIT Delhi senate has opted to reject the decision of the government and continue the current JEE procedure.
“It is historic though unfortunate that, pushed to the edge by Mr. Sibal's autocratic and manipulative attitude, IIT Delhi Senate had no choice but to decide to do an IIT Kanpur in today's jam packed senate meeting and decided UNANIMOUSLY to reject IIT Council decision dated 28.05.2012," said Somnath Bharti, President, IIT Delhi Alumni Association
The Senate discussed in detail the decision of the Council of IITs on May 12 2012 and the Councils of IITs, NITs and IIITs on May 28 2012.
Taking cue from the interview given by the Hon`ble HRD Minister on CNN and IBN, the IIT Delhi Senate sensed that the Government seems to be in the mood to respect the autonomy of IITs in spite of assurances given by the Hon’ble Prime Minister to the faculty of IITs.
The Hon’ble Prime Minister was of the view that there should be no hurry in making changes to the entrance procedure which could damage the IIT brand which is known worldwide. It is worth nothing that the credit for the setting up IITs goes to Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru.
The Senate unanimously rejected the decision of the Councils as it impinges on the autonomy of IITs and the decision was not academically sound. Further, the Senate resolved that the 2012 examination will on the lines of JEE 2012. The Senate also decided to conduct its own Entrance Examination in coordination with other IITs, if possible. For 2014 and beyond, the Senate will set up a Committee which will review and propose changes to the Senate.
The IIT Delhi Alumni Association fully supports the resolution and has communicated to the Senate, through its representative in the senate Mr. Himangshu R. Vaish and Mr. Vijay Saluja, that:
a) It is solidly for the autonomy of the IIT and their Senates.
b) In this matter, which affects the intake of the students, besides other issues, the MHRD has not taken into account the effect which the Council decision will have on bright students who are poor and those in rural areas, where school education is not upto the mark.
c) Should the need arise, the alumni will be willingly to take the matter to the Court.