A video on YouTube can get you a DU admission!

The education ecosystem is figuring out its course of action to tackle the lockdown which is in its third month running and seems very unlikely to end any time soon. The economy has slowly started regaining activity but the most vulnerable of the population, i.e. students are better off staying at home away from the dreaded coronavirus. We as a society are trying to figure out an alternative that keeps us out of harms' way. And an alternate SOP is the way out which limits physical contact to a minimum.

Following the trend of alternative admission processes, DU will be using Youtube for admission to music courses. As a part of their entrance exam, the shortlisting for online interviews will be done on the basis of these Youtube videos. The temporary shift from the standard admission procedures that are in line with the social distancing norms necessitates the use of the online platform.

DU’s highest academic body, the standing committee of the university’s academic council, held a meeting on May 26. The minutes from the meeting stated that the physical presence of students on campus for trials is not possible this year. So, skipping them entirely will be a feasible option in the prevailing circumstances. For sports, physical trials will be replaced with certificates. 

Hit the record button

According to the DU admissions committee, the candidates, for admission to UG and PG courses in music, will have to upload a 7-minute video on Youtube. The video will be marked as ‘unlisted’. This means that it will be unavailable for public viewing. The link for the same will be posted with the admission application on the DU admission portal.

The shortlisted applicants will appear for the online interview. The final selection will be done on the basis of these online interviews conducted by the admission committee.

Alternative admission processes are also being extended to the applicants of the sports, sports science, and physical education courses. The same will be done for admissions under the extra-curricular activities (ECA) quota. In the case of sports and ECA quota (that have 5% of seats reserved collectively in each course), admission will be performance-based.

The details for online entrance exams for each course will be announced in the next few weeks by the National Testing Agency. However, like every other decision involving an online platform, concern has been raised. Especially, over the conducting of online exams for the music courses.

When practicals became impractical! 

Being a practical subject, the audition is a vital part of the entrance to the course. Uploading of youtube videos requires a steady, stable internet connection. Many students might not have access to the facilities. Further, the recording quality would play a major role in the video. The absence of a good quality recorder may prove to be a hurdle for many candidates.

Our efforts of adapting to the new normal involve heavy use of the internet. This is a reasonable fallout when a contagious virus threatens our lives. This highlights the disparity that exists among the youth of the nation. It is not for lack of talent that we see the youth whiling away, it is for lack of opportunity. A digital revolution is the way forward, and again, for which we need the all-important internet!