In a move to bridge the gap between students and administration, Delhi University has launched ‘Coffee with the Vice-Chancellor’, a new platform designed to foster direct, informal dialogue with its top leadership.

The initiative aims to create an open forum where students can voice concerns, share ideas, and engage with decision-makers shaping campus policies.

The inaugural session, held on Monday evening, saw Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh interact with a select group of ten students from Miranda House. Conversations ranged from emerging technologies and education reforms to the evolving role of youth in shaping India’s future.

Make ai your assistant, not your master

Addressing questions on Artificial Intelligence, Singh struck a note of balance, urging students to use technology as an enabler rather than a dependency.

“Make AI your assistant, not your master,” he said, underscoring both the promise and the pitfalls of rapid technological change.

Highlighting India’s digital strides, he pointed to the success of Unified Payments Interface as a marker of the country’s transformation, encouraging students to tap into such innovations for growth and opportunity.

Education beyond books

Shifting focus to academic reforms, Singh spoke about Value Addition Courses (VACs) and Skill Enhancement Courses (SECs), emphasizing that education must extend beyond textbooks.

He called for the development of well-rounded individuals grounded in strong moral values and a sense of national responsibility. Stressing the role of youth in India’s long-term trajectory, Singh said the country needs “bright minds” and “brilliant daughters” to realize its ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047—a vision championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Safety, access and more conversations ahead

On campus safety, the Vice-Chancellor confirmed plans to install CCTV cameras across university premises.

Rani Abbi, Director of South Campus and moderator of the session, said the initiative is designed to give students a direct voice in university governance.

With more sessions in the pipeline, ‘Coffee with the Vice-Chancellor’ is being positioned as a sustained effort to make the administration more accessible, responsive, and attuned to student needs—strengthening the connect between young learners and institutional leadership.