DU looking to buy a train to take learning beyond classrooms

New Delhi: Delhi University is exploring the possibility of "buying" a train from Indian Railways to take learning beyond the confines of a classroom.

The University used to rent a train from Indian Railways for its `Gyanodya Express -- An Educational Train Journey`. The special cross-country train journey is an all-expense-paid trip where students are nominated by the respective colleges. "We are exploring the possibility of buying a train. We used to take on rent a train for this initiative," Delhi University Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh said on the sidelines of 91st Foundation Day of the varsity. He said they were looking for funds from the Centre and state as well as from University coffers. DU Registrar Alka Sharma said the proposal is in a "very initial stage". "It is under consideration and requires a lot of things to be worked out. Finance needs to be worked out. Conceptually we are there but the logistics needs to be worked out," she told a news agency. Singh said Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has assured full support for the University with regard to funding of the project. "We will give full support to the initiatives taken by the varsity. The institute comes under the purview of central government but before that the students are a part of Delhi itself," she said at the function. Singh said he had discussed with Dikshit the university`s new plans and her response was encouraging. "I also discussed the university`s new project Gyanodaya express, an educational train which I want the university to own. Whatever I have discussed with her so far, she has said that she is with us and will fully support us," he said. Recalling her days in Delhi University, Dikshit said "to compete with the leading universities of the world, we need to focus on such initiatives to ensure skill development of our students apart from academics. "What Delhi University does today, rest of the Indian universities will do tomorrow," said Dikshit. The Chief Minister said she along with her husband went to Cambridge to pursue a course after her post graduation but she felt that it was just like an extension of Delhi University. Vice-Chancellor Dinesh Singh said the process is on to buy the train. PTI