DTU to Establish New Centers for Community Development, Energy Transition, and Digital Education: VC Prof. Sharma
DTU's Eight-Decade Legacy: Delhi Technological University, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Prateek Sharma talks about achievements, NEP Impact, and Future Initiatives
In an insightful conversation, Prof. Prateek Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of Delhi Technological University (DTU), reflects on the institution's remarkable eight-decade journey from its inception as Delhi Polytechnic in 1941 to becoming a leading university. Prof. Sharma discusses the significant milestones, including the impact of the National Education Policy (NEP), new academic programs, and initiatives addressing societal challenges and energy transition, all aimed at reinforcing DTU's legacy and future vision.
Q: How do you view the seven-decade journey of DTU?
Prof. Sharma: Delhi Technological University started as Delhi Polytechnic in 1954, then became the College of Engineering, and later the full-fledged university, Delhi Technological University. Until 2009, it was known as an excellent place of study. Once it became a university, the research component came in, and we started offering PhD programs. So far, we have produced around 500 PhDs, have around 30 patents, and a large number of research papers have been published. The institute has been the incubation center of various academic institutions, including IIT Delhi.
Q: How has the National Education Policy (NEP) influenced DTU?
Prof. Sharma: The NEP is considered a game-changer, expanding the domain of academic and research activities. It emphasizes interdisciplinarity and multidisciplinarity, which is easier for universities offering a wide range of programs. For monodisciplinary institutions like IITs, it becomes challenging. To implement NEP in its true spirit, we expanded our academic activities and created new initiatives collectively.
Q: What initiatives has DTU taken to align with NEP?
Prof. Sharma: We introduced five integrated master's programs in physics, chemistry, mathematics, biotechnology, and economics. These programs align with the recent UGC guidelines under the NEP framework, offering students options to exit or enter at different stages with corresponding certificates or diplomas. We also launched MTech by research programs with a major focus on research activities, differing from typical MTech programs by emphasizing research over coursework.
Q: How is DTU addressing societal problems through technological interventions?
Prof. Sharma: We created a Center for Community Development and Research to tackle societal problems such as urban issues, sustainability, energy, sanitation, and traffic congestion. These problems are integrated into dissertations for B.Tech, M.Tech, and PhD students. The solutions will be shared with relevant stakeholders like urban local bodies and ministries.
Q: Â Is BTech available at DTU?
Delhi Technological University offers a four-year BTech programme across 14 specialisations along with two BTech Evening programmes to the students. The duration of the BTech evening programme is also four years. The specialisations available under the regular BTech course includes CSE, Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Engineering Physics, Mathematics and Computing specialisations, among others. Additionally, the specialisations available under BTech (Evening) course include Civil and Electrical Engineering. Students seeking admission must have a valid score in the JEE Main entrance exam. However, the final admission process is conducted via Joint Admission Counselling (JAC) Delhi. While for BTech (Evening), admission is completely based on merit scores obtained by the students in Class 12. Read more on BTech colleges in Delhi NCR.
Q: Â Is MBA from DTU worth?
In the recent 2022 MBA placements at DTU, Finance turned out to be the highest recruiting sector. Additionally, the highest salary (domestic) offered stood at INR 19 LPA and the average salary stood at INR 8.9 LPA. More key highlights of Delhi School of Management (DSM) placements 2021-22 are presented below:
Particulars |
DTU Placement Statistics 2022 |
|---|---|
No. of companies visited |
150+ |
No. of new recruiters |
50+ |
the highest package (domestic) |
INR 19 LPA |
the highest package (international) |
INR 62.5 LPA |
Average package |
INR 8.9 LPA |
The MBA placements data of DSM, DTU is released by the Delhi School of Management. Hence, for more details on MBA placements at DTU, click here.
Q: Â How is DTU for B.Tech?
DTU ranked 29 under the 'Engineering' category by the NIRF 2023. There are many IITs ranked before DTU under the same category. Also, it competes against the top-notch NITs and second-phase IITs in several specialisations of BTech. Hence, it is safe to say that DTU is as good as an IIT or an NIT in northern India. In fact, The Times Rankings 2022 ranked DTU number 1 in the Delhi NCR region for 'Engineering' category.
DTU BTech students are placed in top companies like Samsung, Microsoft, Zomato, and others. Also the BTech fee is not very high. To clear JEE Main, candidates must study according to the JEE Main syllabus and appear for as many JEE Main mock tests as possible.
Q: Â Is DTU good for BDes?
Q: Â Is M.Tech available at DTU?
Yes, Delhi Technological University offers a two-year M.Tech programme in full-time along with a three-year M.Tech programme in part-time mode. The programme is offered across 25 specialisations and is offered through 11 departments, namely Applied Chemistry, Applied Physics, Biotechnology, Civil Engineering and Computer Science & Engineering, among others. Admission to M.Tech at DTU is subject to a valid score in GATE exam. Click here to know more about DTU M.Tech programme.
Q: How is DTU contributing to energy transition and sustainability?
Prof. Sharma: We established a Center for Excellence in Energy Transition, focusing on green energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. We aim to create cutting-edge research and knowledge that will feed into our academic programs. Collaborations with the Central Electricity Authority and the Ministry of New Renewable Energy are part of this initiative.
Q: What steps has DTU taken towards digital education?
Prof. Sharma: We are establishing a Center for Digital Education to democratize education and reach a broader audience. This center will provide quality education through digital means, ensuring that even those who cannot physically access our campus can benefit from our programs.
Q: How is DTU addressing the dynamic changes in technology and industry demands?
Prof. Sharma: We are setting up a Center for Executive Education to offer short-term courses ranging from five years to one year, based on industry demands. This center will help students and professionals acquire necessary skills dynamically, which traditional programs might not cover.
Q: What initiatives are being taken to strengthen industry relations and CSR?
Prof. Sharma: We created a separate vertical for corporate relations to enhance industry engagement. Additionally, we have a sub-domain focused on CSR-related projects to help industries effectively utilize their funds for societal benefits.
Q: How does DTU plan to implement interdisciplinary studies?
Prof. Sharma: We are planning to introduce a School of Interdisciplinary Engineering and Research. This school will bring together various departments and centers to address complex problems that cannot be solved within a single discipline, such as energy, which involves both policy and technical aspects.
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Abhay an alumnus of IIMC and Delhi University, has over a decade long experience of reporting on various beats of journalism. During his free time he prefers listening to music or play indoor and outdoor games.
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