Transforming Higher Education: How Culture Disables a University’s Change Initiative
Organization Development is a process of fundamental change in an organization’s culture.
– Warner Burke
In 2010, Prof. Dinesh Singh (Dr. Singh) was appointed as the Vice Chancellor (VC) at the University of Delhi (popularly known as Delhi University or DU), a central university located in the capital of India. Five years after his appointment when his tenure came to an end, he left the office amidst scathing criticism and a host of controversies.
Singh’s vision was to transform higher education in India, to make it more relevant and meaningful so that it prepared the students to undertake the responsibility of the future of the country. But, was a single man’s passion enough to overhaul the higher education system adopted for almost a century by the University of Delhi? What went wrong? Why was an initiative that aimed at overall improvement, rejected with so much haste?
Higher Education in India
India celebrates 5th September each year to commemorate the birth anniversary of one of its greatest teachers, Dr. S Radhakrishnan. To quote him, “The most important and urgent reform needed in education is to transform it, to endeavor to relate it to life, needs and aspirations of the people and thereby make it the powerful instrument of social, economic and cultural transformation necessary for the realization of the national goals. For this purpose, education should be developed so as to increase productivity, achieve social and national integration, accelerate the process of modernization and cultivate social, moral and spiritual values.” .............
The University of Delhi
Delhi University, one of the oldest universities in India, was established in the year 1922 by an Act of the then Central Legislative Assembly. The Act designates the roles, responsibilities, decision making authority and power to various positions held at the University to accomplish daily tasks and to maintain the standards of education and examination within the University (Exhibit I). The University is highly regarded within India as well as abroad for its highest teaching and research standards...........
The Ex-Vice Chancellor’s Vision
Forty years ago, Dr. Singh enrolled in the University as a student in its Undergraduate programme unaware of the fact that one day he would be heading the University as its VC. After completion of his graduation and post-graduation in Mathematics from St. Stephens, one of the oldest colleges of the University, he enrolled into an M.Phil. Programme at DU..........
The Rise and Fall of FYUP
Four Year Under-Graduate Programme – An Introduction
The Four Year Undergraduate Program (FYUP) was launched in July 2013 with an aim to provide greater academic flexibility to its students and wide range of course choices. The biggest perceived advantage of this course was its design, which combined knowledge with practical and research skills. Another offering of this course was its objective to connect the youth to the needs of the industry and society, simultaneously broadening their understanding of historical legacies and current issues..............
The FYUP Divide-A Tale of Two Groups
The University of Delhi had been following the Two Year Post Graduation and Three Year Under-Graduate structure since long. However, in the Academic Year 2009-2010 the Post- Graduation Degree courses were brought under the semester system. This change took place when Prof. Deepak Pental held the position of the Vice Chancellor at the University..............
Assignment Questions
The participants should be asked to read the case in advance along with a few supporting readings as suggested below. The discussion in the class may revolve around the following questions:
I Evaluate the need for introducing FYUP in DU?
II Why was the FYUP a radical initiative?
III Describe the process used by Dr. Singh to bring about the change? Evaluate the change process?
IV .................
Exhibits
Exhibit I: Important Highlights from the Delhi University Act, 1922
Exhibit II: Revised Curriculum details adapted from the University’s Annual Reports
Exhibit III: List of Foundation Courses Offered in First Year
Exhibit IV: Series of Events – From Inception to Rollback