The course structure needed immediate attention, and quality of teachers and campus
placements came next
Delhi marks the end of an exodus every year for a young, starry-eyed crowd. Many
youngsters from small towns leave their homes in hope of an education that their
own states do not offer. Apart from leaving behind the peace, comfort and familiarity
of their home towns, many incur heavy costs to find a place in a bustling, loud
city. Yet, every year, the reluctance to join state universities takes on new proportions.
Delhi University alone hosts thousands of such aspirants.
Why? Most such students feel they won’t get the kind of exposure required for global
or even national-level competition. The facilities that big cities boast of are
also a big draw. And Delhi University scores highest among the options available
across the country’s metros. Hemant Chauhan, a student of history who comes from
a village near Jaipur, says, "The quality of teachers (in Delhi University) is very
good. Classes are held regularly and library facilities are excellent. These are
the basic facilities which we don’t get in our small towns. Thus, we have no option
but to head to Delhi University. It has a big name and has a good reputation, too."
Rajesh Choudhary, a student from Kanpur and studying for an MCA degree at Delhi
University, cites an added advantage for coming to the capital. "Delhi is a business
hub and the best college for MCA is here at the Delhi University. Placement is excellent
and teachers are excellent, too. These are the things which we don’t have access
to in our states."
Many other students also echoed the above thoughts. They added that they were highly
dissatisfied with the education set-up in their own states and really had no choice
but to leave. According to one student who requested anonymity, classes in his state’s
colleges were not held regularly due to various reasons including political turmoil.
Lack of good books added to the poor quality of education. Konsenji a student of
geology, who comes from Assam, says,
"Communication is also a problem in small towns. There are no seminars held in colleges."
The majority of outstation students interviewed said that DU has a good reputation
in small towns and the best colleges for some subjects are here.
But they do want to see a change in their home states. The course structure needed
immediate attention, and quality of teachers and campus placements came next. Library
facilities would also help students who want to self-study.
Pradeep, a student from Varanasi pursuing an MCA degree chose DU because
of the quality of teaching and facilities available. Exposure is another factor
drawing many in the city. And the trend is hardly new.
Courtesy: Hindustan Times
