Sanjeeb Kumar Sahoo
NEW DELHI: At Shri Ram College of Commerce on September 5, during the centenary celebrations of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) in New Delhi, Yogesh Singh, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delhi, appeared to devote a significant part of his speech to praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He began his address by praising the Prime Minister and ended it on a similar note.
However, Yogesh Singh should also have spoken about students’ issues, faculty concerns, the need for new hostels, and the development of modern campus infrastructure. Yet, he did not speak a single word about students’ welfare or these other important issues in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
And so far, there has not been a single tweet from Yogesh Singh, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delhi, expressing condolences or concern for the students who lost their lives when a PG building collapsed in Delhi’s Satya Niketan on September 6.
But the question that deserves to be asked is:How much of his speech was actually about the students and the University of Delhi?
Students and alumni would reasonably expect the Vice-Chancellor of one of India’s premier universities to speak about academic excellence, students’ welfare, research, employment opportunities, campus infrastructure, faculty development, and the challenges facing the university. These issues should be at the heart of any address by the head of Delhi University.
Instead, if a Vice-Chancellor’s public speech appears more focused on praising a political leader than discussing the concerns and aspirations of students, it naturally raises questions about the priorities of the university’s leadership.
And now, as Yogesh Singh is set to receive a fresh five-year term as Vice-Chancellor beginning in October 2026, an important question arises:
What has been his major contribution to Delhi University that justifies another five-year term?
Yogesh Singh took charge as the 23rd Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University in 2021. With his reappointment, he is set to become the first #DelhiUniversity Vice-Chancellor to serve two consecutive terms following the 2023 change in the university’s statutes.
Therefore, students, teachers, researchers and alumni of Delhi University have every right to ask for a transparent assessment of his tenure.
What has changed at Delhi University or University of Delhi since 2021?
What measurable improvements have been made in teaching, research, infrastructure and student welfare?
How has the university addressed students’ academic and administrative concerns?
What has been done to improve the university’s global academic standing?
And most importantly, what is the vision for Delhi University for the next five years?
In my view, Delhi University needs a Vice-Chancellor who puts students, education, research, academic freedom, institutional excellence and the future of the university at the centre of his or her priorities.
The Vice-Chancellor of a major public university should be an academic leader first—not someone who gives the impression of functioning like a political party’s booth-level karyakarta or party member.
Delhi University is not the headquarters of any political party. It is an institution of higher education that belongs to its students, teachers, researchers, staff and alumni.
Its Vice-Chancellor therefore has a responsibility to rise above political affiliations and demonstrate independence, academic leadership and institutional integrity.
Delhi University deserves a Vice-Chancellor whose strongest voice is not heard in praise of politicians, but in defence of education, students, research and the university’s future.
