NEW DELHI, January 7: Tickets to Tokyo don't come cheap -- but Delhi University authorities justify the varsity delegation's trip to Japan claiming that it is the Soka University which is bearing all the travel expenses. ``DU did not spend a penny for the Japan trip. Soka University in Japan invited the delegation to conclude the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two universities,'' says acting vice-chancellor and director of south campus Prof Abhai Mansingh.DU vice-chancellor Prof V.R. Mehta, dean of colleges Dr S.S. Rana, registrar Prof K.K. Panda left for Tokyo on January 5 to confer D litt degree on noted Buddhist scholar Daisaku Ikeda. The degree had been conferred on the scholar in absentia on December 13 along with several other scholars including Prof Amartya Sen, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Utsad Amjad Ali Khan.
``The vice-chancellor'', Prof Mansingh claims, ``had to visit Japan as the latter are honouring Prof Mehta for his immense contribution in the field of political science. The Soka University has organised a big function and wanted an entire delegation to be present there''.
In the absence of the DU top brass, a section of the teachers are up in arms against the pay-scales mentioned in the UGC notification. The DU Professors Forum is opposing the disparity in the minimum pay of college principals and that of university professors and has threatened an agitation if their grievances are not redressed. The acting vice-chancellor Prof Abhai Mansingh is looking into the matter.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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