The Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University has renamed the Bachelor of Optometry program to Bachelor of Science in Optometry, leading to protests from many students. Reports indicate that 67 second-semester and 60 fourth-semester students boycotted their exams on June 18, 2024 which were scheduled for 10 am and 2 pm.
Students argue that this decision was abrupt and imposed without any warning. They are now calling for the decision to be reversed. Additionally, some students claim they faced threats of suspension for speaking out, and several student IDs have been blocked to suppress the protest.
The protest has not been limited to students; several parents have joined in as well. The students began their protest on June 18, 2024 at the university headquarters but got no response from the administration. However it did not stop them to protest. On June 19, 2024, Dr. Anil Tyagi, the president of the Delhi Optometric Association, took part in the protest. He is currently meeting with the Vice-Chancellor of DSEU. Students remain hopeful that the university will reconsider and reverse its decision.
The Vice-Chancellor of DSEU stated that the change was made to align several Bachelor’s programs at DSEU with universal standards. He added that the degree’s name has no particular significance.
