Dibrugarh University Institute of Engineering and Technology students seek reduction of course fees, write to Assam CM

The students of Dibrugarh University Institute of Engineering and Technology (DUIET) have demanded that their course fees be reduced and the fees should be waived off during the period of Covid19 pandemic.

The students of DUIET in a letter to Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said they have been “facing high fees” issue since a long period of time and despite raising the issue on multiple occasions, they have failed to find satisfactory results.

A thorough discussion was held regarding fee deduction of DUIET in the 151th Finance Committee meeting, the letter said, adding, but “no satisfactory results or action was found in favour of the students of DUIET after the meeting”.

“On repeated occasions the administration has accepted that the fees of DUIET are high considering the institute as self-financed although it takes all the benefits, financial support from the government of Assam including infrastructure grant,” the letter said.

DUIET is a state government-run institute.

“The fee structure of Dibrugarh University Institute of Engineering and Technology is very high compared to the other departments of the University as well as various other government-run engineering institutes throughout the state including Assam Engineering College (AEC) and Jorhat Engineering College,” the students said.

The DUIET students said due to the fee structure of the institute, “many meritorious students from humble economic backgrounds are finding it difficult to carry forward their educational dream”.

“Therefore, reduction of fees in DUIET would be of immense help in order to ensure merit is not wasted only because of poor financial conditions,” the letter said.

The DUIET students said they have failed to avail the fee waiver policy for which many parents of the students are going through economic crisis during Covid19.

“At a time when everyone has been affected Covid19, the Dibrugarh University authority has not reduced the fees of the students of DUIET. Instead of reducing the fees, the University asked the students to deposit fees ranging from Rs 50,000-Rs 60,000 through a notification,” the students said.

In 2020, the DUIET in-charge proposed to the Dibrugarh University authority to reduce the fee from Rs 50,000 to Rs 25,000 but the University has not taken any decision in this regard,” the DUET students said.