Delhi university vice chancellor (VC) Dinesh Singh launched the varsity's Facebook page on Monday. Singh was addressing the students and their parents on the second day of the open days organised by DU.

“I will do my best to be accessible to all the students. We are increasing our resources to communicate better with you. Our Facebook page is launched today, which is called, DU for You. I will also be available on [email protected]. It is here that I will try my best to personally answer all your queries,” Singh said at the launch.

DU's open days initiative is aimed at providing counseling and guidance on the new admission norms instituted this year. The university hopes that these sessions will orient students on the number of colleges and courses.

Singh cited the examples of cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and actor Amitabh Bachchan and advised students to stay away from the 'rat race'. He exhorted them to choose fields of their liking instead.

“You must not decide on a stream depending upon the industry standards, but what you truly wish to do," the VC said.

DU has 79 colleges with over five lakh students applying every year, with a cut-throat competition for entry into the top colleges. Singh motivated the students by saying, “Don’t just aim to get into the Stephen or Miranda and Shri Ram, because colleges are irrelevant. Our teachers are some of the finest world over and our facilities are equally divided for all of you.”

He concluded by assuring the students and their parents that, “My office is always going to be open for all the students for any kind of counseling.”

J M Khurana, dean, students welfare said, “E open days and e brochures have been launched today. These arrangements are done for students  outside Delhi. We want to provide all the information online and make everything convenient for our students.”

He added, “Web chat will also start soon. Our helpline is already active from May 21 from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm and we assure you that 90 percent queries are answered.”

Talking about the decision to do away with the preadmission forms for this year’s admissions, he said, “This is happening for the first time in India. It is the biggest change of its own. The first cut off list will be announced on June 15 through our website, print and electronic media. Respective colleges will also have their websites updated with news on the cut off lists. Unlike last year, we will have five cut off lists.”

Giving further details on the new process, he said, “If you apply in two colleges, enroll in the first one but decide to take admission in the second one. The college will return you your certificates within 24 hours. Also this year you will be given four days instead of three to admissions.”

Tuesday is the last day for open day counseling at the south campus, the counseling will then shift to the north campus for the next three days.