Decision on reopening of Universities only after considering student interests: UGC

UGC Chairman has said that the decision on reopening of Universities and colleges will be taken only after considering the situation from all angles.

The decision on the reopening of schools will be taken only after accessing the coronavirus situation in the country and considering the opinion of students, University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman, D P Singh said. 

During an interview with a media house, he said, while the initial plan for reopening the colleges and Universities was in  August or September, it now will be announced only after considering the situation from all angles to ensure that students don't suffer on any front.

“UGC is will be releasing the guidelines in consultation with the protocols issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Home Affairs as well as Ministry of Human Resource Development. The guidelines will focus on not only factors like diversity but also the most important points like health and safety of students, faculty, and staff. The guidelines will include the use of Arogya Setu, norms of social distancing, encouragement of online classes for students who wished to opt for the same in addition to other regulations to be followed.

While talking about combining two semesters as urged by many students, he said," The larger interests of the students with regard to educational aspirations, career path, upward mobility etc. will be taken care of after consultations with all stakeholders. This decision will only be dependent on how the situation develops in the nearby future.”

When asked about reducing the syllabus for this academic year, he said, "Since the Universities are autonomous, the decision to reduce syllabus or not is in their hands.UGC has the role to issue common guidelines to bring about uniformity and again the interests of the students will be considered before any decision is made.”

UGC has set up a special task force with a dedicated helpline and email id for students and others to address the student grievances. 

He further said that the Vice-Chancellors of the universities have also been informed to set up a helpline and email for students to reach out. Whatever grievances UGC receive on their helplines, is passed on to the respective Universities.

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