Allow students to take up online internships or activities from home; UGC to Universities

Allow students to do online internship and activities that can be carried out digitally or otherwise from home, the University Grants Commission asked informed heads of universities across the country.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all the universities across the country, to allow students to take online internships and activities that can be carried out digitally or otherwise from home. 

The Commission said that the circular which has been sent to the Vice-chancellors and principals of universities and colleges is in the continuation of the earlier letter which was released last month which mentioned guidelines on examinations and academic calendar.

The UGC has asked the educational institutions heads to engage students to work as interns on ongoing projects. 

Other than this the UGC also instructed institutions heads to delay the start date for internship along with reducing the period of the internship by clubbing it with assignments etc.

"This is in continuation to our earlier letter of even number dated 29.4.2020 vide which the Guidelines on Examinations and Academic calendar were issued.  As per the letter, it was made clear that the guidelines are advisory in nature and the Universities may accordingly plan their activities keeping in view the safety and interest of our stakeholders, giving highest priority to the health of all concerned, while adopting and implementing the Guidelines," the circular read. 

In its earlier circular, it stated that the exams for terminal semester students will be held in the month of July and intermediate semester students will be graded based on internal assessment of the present and previous semester. In states where the COVID-19 situation has normalized, there will be exams in the month of July.

It also said college sessions will begin in August for current students and September for new ones.