Hyderabad University Students Rally Against Alleged Misuse of Institute of Eminence Funds
In a show of solidarity with peers at Jawaharlal Nehru University and Dr BR Ambedkar University in Delhi, students at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) organized a significant protest late on Monday. The demonstration highlighted growing concerns over the distribution and utilization of funds under the Institute of Eminence (IoE) scheme, with participants accusing the university administration of misprioritization and lack of transparency.
Demands for Accountability and Public Reporting
The protesting students have called for the release of a comprehensive, publicly accessible report detailing all IoE expenditures. This demand aims to ensure greater transparency and accountability in how the substantial funds are allocated and spent. "An RTI filed by SFI revealed disturbing details about the misuse of IoE funds at UoH. Instead of strengthening research and academic infrastructure, the administration prioritised luxury expenditure while neglecting genuine research support on campus," stated R Srihari, president of the Students Federation of India (SFI) HCU unit, which spearheaded the protest.
Specific Allegations of Fund Misallocation
R Srihari provided a concrete example to underscore the alleged mismanagement: "For instance, Rs 116 crore was spent on an interdisciplinary research centre, allegedly with no clarity on who will use the facility, even as the school of social sciences, humanities, medical sciences, the department of music, education, and others face severe infrastructure neglect." This claim points to a perceived imbalance in resource distribution, where critical academic departments are reportedly being overlooked in favor of less transparent projects.
Key Demands and Protest Details
The protest, which saw participation from approximately 150 students, commenced at the South LH9 hostel and concluded at the south gate of the campus. Beyond transparency, the students have put forth a list of demands aimed at enhancing academic support. These include:
- An increase in non-NET fellowships and Departmental Assistance Grants (DAG) funded through IoE resources.
- Reinstatement of travel grants for academic conferences to facilitate research dissemination.
- Upgradation of the university library with essential research software and tools.
The protest underscores a broader call for equitable use of IoE funds to bolster research and infrastructure, rather than perceived luxury expenditures. This movement reflects ongoing student activism across Indian universities, advocating for better governance and resource allocation in higher education.
