Delhi University has given a one-time chance to allow former students to complete their degrees in view of its year-long centenary celebrations.

He left Delhi University (DU) around 42 years ago. As part of the university’s “centennial opportunity” project, Rakesh Kumar Rawat, 70, has another chance to realise his “long-cherished” dream of earning his Master of Laws (LLM). In Lucknow currently, Rawat, a 1979 DU graduate, holds the view that it is never too late to pursue one’s goals and further one’s education. He claimed that because of his frequent out-of-town assignments while working for the Central Bureau of Investigation, he was unable to finish his degree (CBI).

He is now one of more than 8,200 former DU students who have signed up for a second chance to finish their degrees. Due to the university’s year-long centennial festivities, which began on May 1, previous students have been offered a one-time opportunity to finish their degrees. Being able to gain more expertise in the area excites Rawat, a lawyer as well, about the chance. “It is a fantastic chance for individuals who want to finish their education. A long-held goal will be realised. I appreciate the university giving me this chance “said he.

“I put a lot of effort into my work while I was in college, but it was in vain. I will be able to study law and earn a degree thanks to this chance,” Rawat told PTI over the phone. After receiving his LLB from Lucknow, Rawat worked as an investigator for the CBI. He was sent to Delhi, where he enrolled in the Delhi University’s LLM programme in 1979. “It was a three-year course; there were papers due every semester, and the final year was when the dissertation was due. I completed four semesters and gave one paper in the fifth semester but due to my job, I had to go far away on assignments so had to drop out and I could not give two of my papers,” he said.

DU’s centenary chance

For Rawat, who became preoccupied with his work, life continued. However, there was a strong desire to finish the degree. “I was anxious to finish my degree. I tried transferring credits across universities, but it was unsuccessful. Through one of my acquaintances, I learned about the DU advertisement for the unique initiative. I was found to be qualified and have already enrolled “Added he. The decision of Rawat to obtain his degree is supported by his family. “I have a daughter and a son. I have restarted my studies now that they have finished it and are settled “He said in jest.

He quickly added: “My family has been very understanding of my choice. They are content that I’m attempting “. “Age is simply a number; do not assume that since I am retired, I have nothing to do. Never be too late to go for your dreams. It’s excellent to be a student at some age, and this is a fresh experience for me to return to school after my kids have done their education. The research must continue, “added he.

Yogesh Singh, vice chancellor of the University of Denver, made the announcement in March that students who left DU would be granted a “centenary chance” to finish their degrees. At a special Executive Council meeting on January 28 to address the university’s centennial festivities, a proposal for this was approved. For the yearly form of the test, the qualified applicants may sit for a maximum of four exams, and for the semester scheme, a maximum of eight papers. The exam will be administered physically between October of the current year and March of the following year. The university said that it would be held for a theoretical and practical examination rather than for internal review.

The university informed that the students while applying for “centenary chance” need to provide the details and documents as required.