Himachal Pradesh University to discontinue courses having low enrollment; students oppose the decision

Himachal Pradesh University’s (HPU) decision to discontinue various courses having less than 50 per cent enrollment of the sanctioned intake did not go well with the students of the university, who are now demanding the university to strengthen the departments instead of discontinuing the courses.

The university in an official order announced its plan to discontinue such courses in which enrollment is very less. As per the order, the university said courses having enrollment below 50 per cent of the sanctioned intake or courses having less than 15 students, will not be offered from the next academic session.

The university cited optimal utilisation of its funds and ensuring quality education to students as the reason for discontinuing such courses. “The decision aims to uphold academic standards, promote effective classroom interaction as well as to allow efficient use of its faculty and infrastructure,” read the notification.

However, this decision drew flak from the university students, who are now demanding the university to reconsider this decision, saying that this decision will not be in the interest of students.

Students also claimed that the university’s focus has completely shifted from strengthening its departments to the five centres which were inaugurated in the university last year.

Criticising the move, Akshay Thakur, campus president, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) said, “New courses are being introduced while existing courses are being discontinued. The Vice Chancellor (VC) appears to be focused solely on the five newly established centers. Apart from this, neither are other departments being provided with proper buildings, nor are they being given basic facilities. At the same time, an additional burden of fee hikes is being imposed on students, which is completely unjustified.”

He also added, “The VC should understand that he is not the head of just five centres, but of the entire university. Priority must be given to providing basic facilities and permanent infrastructure to the existing departments.”

Similarly, Yogi Singhania, campus president, Student Federation of India (SFI), also lashed out at the university over this decision and said, “The VC upon assuming office, stated that the academic standards of the university had declined significantly and that it was essential to bring them out of this deteriorated condition. However, over the past one year, no substantial steps have been taken to strengthen the existing departments, and the focus has remained solely on establishing five new centers."

"The CAG report clearly states that there is a shortage of 70-80 per cent of basic instruments within the university. Despite this, no effective measures have been taken in the past year to address these deficiencies or to strengthen the laboratories," he added.

He said the university should first prioritise strengthening its existing departments by providing them with basic facilities, essential equipment, and permanent infrastructure, otherwise, admissions in departments will continue to decline.