Jadavpur University to distribute handset, data cards to students to attend online classes

To make sure all the students attend the online classes, Jadavpur University will distribute android handsets and data packs to students. 

Jadavpur University has announced that it will distribute android handsets and data packs to students, who do not have such facilities, as new semester classes are going to begin this month. The varsity has also decided to conduct the final semester examination in Arts and science stream in contactless digital mode from October 1 to 10.

"Those students not having smartphones and network connectivity will be provided with the handsets and data pack in arts, science and engineering streams very soon. We will provide them with good quality sets compatible with net facilities, sharing, uploading and downloading options and for those needing good connectivity data pack and recharge for three months," JU Pro-Vice-Chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharya told PTI.

The total number of such students has been assessed by the University committee after the students' union gave their own survey figure, he said.

When asked about how students who do not have android sets and net connectivity will get access to digital classes that are scheduled to begin from September 14, he said the authorities are planning to complete the process as early as possible. Semester classes for engineering are slated to begin from September 25.

Asked to elaborate on the digital mode of teaching, Bhattacharya said it will be done on a virtual platform on Google. Also, audio and video clips of lectures and course contents will be uploaded at a secure, protected dedicated section in the university portal. The teachers of the concerned department will be able to access the section and share the links of files through pdf with the student having net connectivity.

The students having net connectivity will share the contents with those deprived of the facilities as of now. Once they too get the facilities, everyone will be able to participate in classes and there will be no digital divide. The varsity will provide the handsets and net packs from its own fundraised from contributions from various quarters including alumni and faculty.

Talking about the final semester exams for Arts and Science streams he said, "Questions will be sent through email before exams. Students will have to download the questions and answer on a paper sheet in two hours' time. After two hours they will have to mail it back through attachment. The students will be given some extra time keeping in mind net connectivity issues but that cannot be indefinitely extended."

"If any student faces difficulty he can call up a helpline number given before the exams," he said. The varsity decided to hold exams after the UGC gave a nod to the state Higher education department to conduct final semester tests in October, he said.

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