DSEU marks seventh foundation day, highlights skill-based education and entrepreneurship

The Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU) observed its seventh Foundation Day on October 12, 2026, at the Bharatmuni Auditorium, CCRT, Sector 7, Dwarka. The celebration focused on DSEU’s seven-year journey and its continued emphasis on skill-oriented education, entrepreneurship, practical learning, and student development.

The event brought together university officials, faculty members, students, and guests from industry and academia, reflecting on the institution’s establishment in August 2020 by the Delhi government to equip students with world-class skill education.

Emphasis on Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

DSEU Vice-Chancellor Ashok K Nagawat stated that education should extend beyond securing employment, aiming to help students develop confidence, identity, and a meaningful role in society. He remarked, “Knowledge makes skills, skills make opportunity, opportunity empowers the nation.” Pawan Jindal, Chairman and Managing Director of Jindal Mectec, attended as the chief guest, emphasizing the importance of combining formal education with practical skills, experience, and confidence. Jindal identified costing, quality, and commitment as crucial factors for aspiring entrepreneurs, citing a skill development centre in Panipat as an example of vocational training creating opportunities.

Bhim Singh, ANRF National Science Chair and Emeritus Professor at IIT Delhi, who was the guest of honour, encouraged students to apply knowledge to practical challenges and use technology and innovation. DSEU professor Ajay Singoli highlighted the role of skill development and entrepreneurship in preparing young people for the changing world of work, advocating for a shift from conventional employment aspirations towards entrepreneurship and job creation, stating, “Make young Indians job creators, not job seekers.” Abha Jain also attended as a special guest.

University Initiatives and Cultural Program

During the Foundation Day program, DSEU introduced its Student Campus Ambassadors for Media and Public Relations, presenting them with certificates of joining. The event also featured cultural performances showing regional traditions, including Rajasthani, Haryanvi, and other regional traditions. A poetry session, or Kavi Sammelan, was organized by DSEU’s Rajbhasha Prakoshth, featuring poets such as Dr. Kirti Kale, Alok Aviral, Namita Naman, Prakhar Malviya “Kanha”, Dr. Pankaj Shyam Lathar, and Colonel Sanjay Chaturvedi.

University officials present at the event included Shailendra Singh Parihar, IAS, Registrar, DSEU; Dr. Pankaj Lathar, Director of Public Relations and Controller of Finance, DSEU; and Prof. Kamna Sachdeva, Director of Academics. Dr. Narayan Agrawal, Campus Director, DSEU Dwarka, delivered the Vote of Thanks.

Context of Recent Allegations and University Response

The Foundation Day celebration occurred amidst recent allegations from the Gazetted Officers Forum for Technical Education (GOFTE), a government teachers’ grouping comprising former lecturers and staff of polytechnic institutes merged into DSEU in 2020. GOFTE accused DSEU of spending approximately Rs 40 lakh on its foundation day celebrations despite what they described as poor conditions in polytechnic institutes. They also alleged that the event, originally planned anyway on October 8, was extended to October 11.

DSEU Vice Chancellor Prof Ashok Kumar Nagawat rejected GOFTE’s charges as “baseless and without facts.” He stated, “The University conducts all activities as per prescribed rules, procedures and approved financial provisions. Each campus receives sufficient funds and there is no financial shortage.” Nagawat further noted that the university has submitted a Rs 60-70 crore proposal to upgrade laboratories and infrastructure on diploma-level campuses by March 2026, which the Delhi government has approved. GOFTE had previously protested on July 26 at Jantar Mantar, alleging DSEU failed to secure All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) recognition, which they claimed made students ineligible for certain jobs. Lokesh Kumar from GOFTE stated, “We do not wish to be part of DSEU; we want to continue serving as lecturers and staff at the polytechnics and operate as we did prior to the merger.”

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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