UGC directs universities to look into students issues proactively, sets deadline to constitute grievance cell

UGC has asked all universities to actively address students' problems related to exams and academics and set up a Grievance Cell for the same by May 30.

University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all the universities to follow the guidelines it had issued on April 29, 2020, on examinations and academic calendar. The Commission had asked universities to plan the activities in accordance with the interest of stakeholders and the students. The commission had also set up a deadline until May 30 for the universities to constitute Grievance Cell.

This was made mandatory for all the universities. It also had asked the colleges to have a dedicated helpline and an email which would receive the grievances from students.

UGC has constituted a Task Force to address the grievances of students due to coronavirus outbreak.

The commission noticed that more students have issues related to exam dates,  academic calendar, exam mode, back papers, collection of the non-refundable fees, etc which need to be immediately looked into. Most students have problems with the fee collection by the colleges and the examination dates as they have already left for their native place. With the number of coronavirus cases rising in the country, the students are now scared to travel back to their concerned educational institutions

The commission has also asked the universities to make a cell by May 30, 2020. The Task Force constituted by the University and the State Governments must be proactive in taking measures as soon as possible. This would lead to timely redressal of grievances and fewer student complaints. Also, UGC asked the universities to be active in publicizing the redressal on a wider platform so that there is no communication gap between the students and the college.

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