The Group Discussion was organised by The members of the Siddons Debating Club on 29th July 2024 and delved into the topic – “Student Welfare and Accommodation Challenges at AMU.”
Began with exploring the concept of welfare and the importance of student welfare, the discussion carried great remarks made by the participants followed by thought-provoking insights revolving around the accommodation and hostel allotment challenges faced by the students, particularly the new intakes of the students. The participants also discussed the recent hostel evacuation drive by the Vice Chancellor and concluded with solution-oriented remarks by each member, aimed at solving the issues of accommodation.
The concept of welfare and its critical significance for students were greatly emphasized in the beginning. The participants emphasized over the various dimensions of student welfare, highlighting its importance in ensuring a supportive and conducive academic environment.
- The participants shared their experiences and observations, shedding light on the difficulties encountered in securing adequate housing. The points regarding the discrimination in matters of inhomogeneity among halls, especially how the female students are made to pay extra charges, contrary to their male counterparts were brought into the discussion.
- Towards the conversation that touched upon the recent hostel evacuation drive initiated by the Vice Chancellor, the members expressed their appreciation and deliberated on the implications of this move for the student community.
- Among the solution-oriented remarks, members argued that a more transparent digital system can be put in place to ensure systemic integrity in the Hostel allotment process, this will also pace up the currently slow process.
Among many significant suggestions, it expressed that the PhD scholars over the 5 years their position should get some relaxation as their research work was hindered greatly by a delay as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic.
One of the major outcomes of the decision was the suggestions regarding the need for new hostel facilities and changes in infrastructure to tackle the needs of the students, especially the needy students.
For the students in need, suggestions were made for the provision of scholarship schemes within residential halls and hostels to ensure their welfare.
Suggestions for a digital biometric checking and entry system into the hostels were made, and the members argued that it would solve the problem of illegal entries and occupants in the halls.
These suggestions aimed at addressing the accommodation issues were insightful and geared towards improving the overall welfare of the student body.
The discussion by the Siddons Debating Club was a productive session that brought to light critical issues surrounding student welfare and accommodation at AMU. The exchange of ideas and proposed solutions highlighted the commitment of the members to foster a better living and learning environment for all students.
