By Azera Rahman
IANS
New Delhi : From starting a 15-day English speaking course to advising on part-time jobs, an array of eager volunteers have made the admission process in Delhi University, one of the country's premier universities, a lot simpler for the thousands flocking to it every day.
To begin with there is a mini bus ferrying students and their parents from the nearby Metro station to the north campus at regular intervals. Free of cost, this has saved most from the hassle of asking for directions to the centres where the admission forms are distributed.
Once in the main campus, there are information desks put up by the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) where volunteers offer water, road maps and pamphlets with vital information about the admission process.
"The pamphlets are of great help. Besides having last year's cut off percentages for every subject at every college, it also has accommodation options that one could go for as well as the roadmap of the north and the south campuses," said Parleen Kaur, who has come from Chandigarh with her daughter for her admission.
"The pamphlet also has all the important dates, which entrance exam is happening where and when, when are the results due, when are the exams to avail the sports or extra curricular quota… everything. Hence we don't have to go from college to college asking about these details," said Harshita Mehta, a student.
Another interesting initiative is the counselling offered to the new students.
"Just out of school and with a whole lot of options in front of them, most of them are very confused about which subject they should opt for.
"Hence we have drawn up a questionnaire with 18 very simple questions which they simply have to tick," said Isha of the Institute of Developmental Assessment and Counselling (IDAC) working in association with DUSU at the information desk.
Questions like 'do they enjoy being with other people', 'are ecological issues important' and 'do they enjoy solving crosswords' figure in the list.
"Their answers will then be analysed by our team of psychologists and career counsellors and the best suited career option will be given to them. Accordingly they can go for a particular subject," Isha told IANS.
A 15-day English speaking and personality development course, free of cost, is also offered to the students.
"This will basically help students hone their skills. It helps build confidence and mix freely with others which is very essential at this stage of life," said Sonam Sahni, a volunteer at the information desk.
There is a job placement agency as well. Although offering only jobs at various BPOs in and around Delhi, it is nevertheless a boon for those opting for correspondence and non-collegiate courses as they are on the lookout for earning some extra pocket money.
"We have received over 100 applications in the job placement cell. There are many college students who, besides concentrating on their studies, do odd jobs like working part time in an eatery to earn their pocket money. So this initiative has got a good response," said Amrita Dhawan, president of DUSU.
"When I came for my admission in DU five years back, there were hardly as many facilities as there are today. These moves have definitely eased the hassle of running around for admission to a great extent," said Anita Baruah of Assam who is here for her younger sister's admission.
An estimated 100,000 students study at Delhi University's 78 colleges spread over two campuses and scattered colleges. More than 35,000 students take admission every year but at least 10 times the number apply.
Accompanied by their parents and guardians, the university dons the look of a mini-fair during the June-July admission time.