An official circular posted on the Polytechnic notice board read:

“It is hereby notified for all concerned that any major enhancement of fee will only be applicable with prospective effect as per the Fee Structure of different courses offered by the University as announced in the Prospectus of the year under which the admission of student was made. However, any minor enhancement, if made in the Fee Structure, can be affected by giving prior notice for information of the students concerned.”

A polytechnic student Jamia Journal spoke to, Irshad, said that he and his classmates are relieved and extremely happy to hear that the administration have considered their demand and have decided to roll back the fee hike.

New Jamia Polytechnic Building; May 9, 2013 (Photo: Jamia Journal)

Jamia Polytechnic students gathered at Admin Block gate to protest against fee hike; Tuesday, May 5, 2013 (Photo: Jamia Journal)

According to the students protesting at the scene, Jamia — without any notification — increased their tuition fee from about Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 23,000 for the next year. Students were upset they were being asked to pay an exorbitant amount in the middle of their Diploma Engineering program.

According to a student protester, combined for all three years, there are about 1200 students in the evening Diploma Engineering program, out of which 2/3rd will be affected by this fee hike.

A distraught second-year Diploma Engineering student told Jamia Journal:

When we got our tuition fee slip today, we were shocked to notice that the fee had increased to 23,000 from about 12,000 last year. How can they just change the fee like that in the middle of the program. We enrolled in the program because we could afford to arrange 12,000 rupees every year. But now it’s too much. Moreover, how can Jamia expect us to pay an extra 10,000 rupees in a matter of one week. This is unfair. There are literally several students who cannot afford to pay this amount and will have to drop out from the program because of it. Two years of education, all for nothing.

Another student said:

First we spoke to the head of the department about this, who told us to speak to the director of Jamia Polytechnic. So then we spoke to the director who said there was nothing he could do. And that’s why we are gathered here to speak to the VC. 

At first students stood at the gate demanding to speak to the vice-chancellor, but nothing seemed to come of it, so by 9 p.m. students left the scene promising to come back to protest the next day.

Overall the protest was peaceful and uneventful.

Jamia Polytechnic students gathered at Admin Block gate to protest against fee hike; Tuesday, May 5, 2013 (Photo: Jamia Journal)

The magazine also includes articles by Jamia Journal staff writers: Iymon Majid, R. Nithya and Samreen Mushtaq.

Episteme -2013 – Cover. Click on image to download magazine.

[Editor's Note: If your department or center publishes a student magazine like this one, then send us a link to it and we will promote it on Jamia Journal.]

Jamia Millia Islamia offers a unique course of B.A. (Programme) which matches with the new pattern of IAS (Main) Examinations.

The B.A. (Programme) at Jamia is a three years course spread across six semesters. In this course the students can opt for three subjects out of the four given subjects i.e. Geography, History, Sociology and Public Administration.

The Syllabus of IAS Exam (‘General Studies’ and the above mentioned subjects) and the Syllabus of B.A. (Programme) at Jamia Millia Islamia has many topics in common. This course therefore has an added advantage of aiding students preparing for such competitive examinations.

The UPSC has also introduced a new paper titled “Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude” and interestingly in Jamia, students studying in the BA programme take a compulsory paper in “Indian Religion and Culture” in the 1^st & 2^nd Semester which will prepare them to cope with the newly introduced changes in the UPSC IAS examinations.

The last date for submission of Application Forms for admission to the B.A. (Programme) in Jamia is May 8, 2013 for the academic session 2013-14.

For more information, please visit www.jmi.ac.in

Jamia Millia Islamia officially launched its International Summer School programme (www.issnewdelhi.in) yesterday at an event hosted by the Vice Chancellor, Mr.Najeeb Jung.

International Summer School website screen capture; April 23, 2013

The inaugural session for the ISS will be taking place this year from Sunday, June 16 to Friday, July 26, under the banner of the Ministry of Tourism’s acclaimed Incredible India campaign.  The six-week programme aims at promoting international goodwill and cultural understanding among tomorrow’s leaders as they learn about India and its role in the twenty first century.

An India-centric syllabus has been designed by the university to focus on the wide ranging issues & developments that are shaping contemporary India.  This syllabus comprises of the following, undergraduate level course modules: (i) Indian Politics; (ii) the Indian Economy; (iii) Indian Sociology; (iv) Indian History; and (v) a Fieldwork module for which students would document their volunteer experience with Ritinjali, an NGO that has been involved in numerous community development initiatives across the country.  All efforts would be made to facilitate the transfer of credits for students who are attending the programme from other institutions.

The academic syllabus at the ISS is supplemented by seminars scheduled throughout the programme where students will be able to view documentaries & films and interact with eminent speakers on topics that are relevant to the nation and its people. A short course on the Hindi language at a beginner’s level is also part of the programme.

Visits and excursions to sites of touristic importance within and outside New Delhi have been scheduled throughout the six weeks. Events that showcase India’s rich culture and heritage have also been planned over the course of the programme.

The University looks forward to students from across India and the world attending the ISS as representatives of their respective countries this summer and enriching the programme with their own passions and interests.

In attendance at the launch were embassy officials from numerous countries, heads of foreign cultural & educational centres that are based in New Delhi as well as the various deans, heads and directors of Jamia’s faculties, departments and centres.

Applications for the programme can be made online till May 15, 2013.  Please visit www.issnewdelhi.in for further details.