# Dada Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts

Dada Lakhmi Chand State University of Performing and Visual Arts, located in Rohtak, Haryana, was established on August 5, 2014, through Haryana Act No. 24 of 2014. The university was formed by integrating four government technical institutions, namely State Institute of Fine Arts, State Institute of Design, State Institute of Film & Television, and State Institute of Urban Planning & Architecture. These institutions are being established at a capital expenditure of Rs.300.0 crores by Govt. of Haryana through Government Technical Institution Society, Rohtak. The campus was designed by the renowned architect Raj Rewal.

## Academic delays in the Film and Television Department

The Film and Television Department has faced prolonged academic delays, affecting multiple student batches. The 2017 batch, originally set to graduate in 2021, completed their degrees in 2024, while the 2018 batch is expected to graduate by 2025 or 2026, despite being far beyond their scheduled timelines. These delays have been attributed to infrastructural deficiencies, lack of proper filmmaking equipment, faculty shortages, administrative mismanagement. These delays have led to extended academic tenures, increased financial burdens, and postponed career opportunities for students. The recurring protests and administrative challenges have disrupted the academic environment, contributing to uncertainty and dissatisfaction among the student body.

## Campus and infrastructure

The campus was designed by the renowned architect Raj Rewal. It spans 36 acres and is strategically located approximately 70 kilometers from the national capital, New Delhi, 90 kilometers from Indira Gandhi International Airport, and 220 kilometers from Chandigarh. The campus is well-connected by road and rail networks.
* Seminar halls​
* Laboratories​
* Workshops and studios
* Central facilities like an auditorium, seminar halls, and a central library
* A girls' hostel accommodating 170 students​
* Housing facilities for faculty.
* Does not provide hostel facilities for male students.

## Academic programs

Programme Intake for UG & PG Programmes :
| Sr. No. | Programme | Faculty | Department | Intake |
| 1 | Bachelor of Design - Fashion Design | Design | Fashion Design | 30 |
| 2 | Bachelor of Design - Fashion & Lifestyle Design | Design | Fashion & Lifestyle Design | 25 |
| 3 | Bachelor of Design - Product Design | Design | Product Design | 20 |
| 4 | Bachelor of Design - Textile Design | Design | Textile Design | 25 |
| 5 | Bachelor of Fine Arts - Direction | Film & Television | Direction | 15 |
| 6 | Bachelor of Fine Arts - Cinematography | Film & Television | Cinematography | 15 |
| 7 | Bachelor of Fine Arts - Editing | Film & Television | Editing | 15 |
| 8 | Bachelor of Fine Arts - Audiography | Film & Television | Audiography | 15 |
| 9 | Bachelor of Fine Arts - Acting | Film & Television | Acting | 15 |
| 10 | Bachelor of Architecture | Planning & Architecture | Architecture | 40 |
| 11 | Bachelor of Visual Arts - Applied Arts | Visual Arts | Applied Arts | 25 |
| 12 | Bachelor of Visual Arts - Painting | Visual Arts | Painting | 25 |
| 13 | Bachelor of Visual Arts - Sculpture | Visual Arts | Sculpture | 10 |
| 14 | Bachelor of Visual Arts - Animation & Multimedia | Visual Arts | Animation & Multimedia | 25 |
| 15 | Bachelor of Visual Arts - Printmaking | Visual Arts | Printmaking | 10 |
| 16 | Master of Visual Arts - Applied Art/Painting | Visual Arts | Applied Art/Painting | 30 |
| 17 | Master of Design - Fashion Design | Design | Fashion Design | 30 |
| 18 | Master of Planning - Urban and Regional Planning | Planning & Architecture | Planning & Architecture | 30 |

## Student protests

The university has had several student and faculty protests over the years, primarily concerning academic delays, faculty grievances, infrastructural deficiencies, and administrative mismanagement. These protests have significantly impacted the university's academic structure, particularly affecting students in the Film and Television Department.

#### 2016 Student Protest

In August 2016, students from the State Institute of Film and Television, a constituent institute of the university, initiated an eight-day protest against severe academic and infrastructural deficiencies. The key grievances were:
* Lack of essential equipment: Students reported a shortage of filming equipment, cameras, and editing tools, delaying their projects and coursework.
* Faculty shortages: The absence of qualified faculty affected learning outcomes and academic progress.
* Administrative indifference: Students accused the university administration, including Vice-Chancellor Ashwini Sabharwal, of neglecting their grievances and mismanaging academic schedules.
The protest resulted in widespread media coverage, bringing attention to the infrastructural challenges within the university. The Vice-Chancellor denied these allegations, attributing the unrest to budgetary constraints and stating that a "zero-year" policy was being implemented to address infrastructure backlogs.

#### 2023 Student Protest

In 2023, students initiated a prolonged protest addressing several critical issues within the institution. The key concerns highlighted by the students included:
* Academic Delays: Students reported significant delays in their academic schedules, with some batches experiencing extended course durations beyond the standard timelines.
* Infrastructural Deficiencies: The protestors pointed out the lack of essential facilities and resources necessary for their educational programs, impacting the quality of their learning experience.
* Administrative Challenges: Students expressed dissatisfaction with the university's administrative processes, citing inefficiencies and a lack of responsiveness to their grievances.
The protest persisted for over two months, reflecting the students' determination to seek redressal for their concerns. Despite the prolonged nature of the protest, as of the latest reports, the university administration had not provided a satisfactory resolution to the issues raised by the students.

## Faculty Protests (2023)

In May 2023, faculty members launched a 77-day protest, demanding:
* UGC-approved pay scales and promotions – professors claimed they were denied proper pay structures and benefits for nearly a decade.
* Administrative irregularities – allegations of unauthorized appointments, favoritism, corruption, and lack of transparency.
* Lack of representation – faculty members demanded proper inclusion in university decision-making bodies.
The protest resulted in academic disruptions, further delaying coursework and examinations for students. Despite multiple discussions, resolution efforts from the administration remained inconclusive, prolonging the uncertainty surrounding faculty employment conditions.