Ugc and hrd declares collages and Universities to be reopened From Nov 2020
Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, all the Universities and Colleges will remain closed. The academics are affected most this year due to the pandemic. However, It was decided in the meeting of other agreed University Grants Commission, Mangal Bhavan, under the chairmanship of Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank that the new academic session will start from November 2020-21 in Universities and Colleges across the country.
He further added that all the universities will have to continue their admission until the results of JEE Mains and NEET 2020 so that no student waste their year.
The UGC has said the lockdown period may be considered as “deemed to be attended” by all students and if the situation demands, the universities can have summer vacations for 30 days in June.
“Intermediate students will be graded based on internal assessment of the present and previous semester. In states where the COVID-19 situation has normalised, there will be exams in the month of July. For terminal semester students, exams will be held in July,” the UGC said.
“Universities may follow a six-day week pattern and devise proforma to record travel or stay history of staff and students for the lockdown period. Extension of six months will be granted to MPhil, PhD students and viva-voice be conducted through video conference,” it added.
The commission clarified that the guidelines are advisory in nature and universities may chalk out their own plan taking into consideration issues pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UGC has recommended that universities may adopt alternative and simplified modes and methods of examinations to complete the process in shorter period of time.
UGC Guidelines: Sanitizers, Seat Plans, Thermal Guns
UGC has also instructed the universities that entire examination centre floors and walls, doors, gates, should be sprayed with disinfectant. Exam functionaries and staff to use fresh masks and gloves after staff verification is done.
As per the SOP, universities are asked to make arrangements for sanitizer bottles at the entry gate, examination rooms and staff rooms.
The SOP also has suggested a seat plan for the examination. According to the seat plan, every alternate seat will be kept empty.
The instructions on conduct of examination also states that staff and exam functionaries should submit a self declaration form stating they are fit. Thermal gun temperature check must be done at the staff entrance point.