Criteria for opening of colleges & varsities: Final decision to be taken this weekend

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 26

Before opening colleges and universities, a survey is likely to be carried out by the authorities concerned to assess the number of students and staff members vaccinated with at least a single jab of the Covid-19 vaccine. A final decision on the survey and opening of colleges, however, will be taken this weekend, informed the authorities.

With a sharp decline in fresh Covid-19 cases, the UT Administration had decided to reopen institutions of higher education from next month. But, no exact date has been issued so far.

“We will be issuing the requisite orders by the weekend,” said Rubinderjit Singh Brar, Director, Higher Education.

According to a previous order, issued by UT Advisor Dharam Pal, all institutions of higher learning, including universities and colleges, will be allowed to open for the next academic session from August subject to the condition that all teaching and non-teaching staff and students must have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine a minimum of two weeks ago.

Panjab University, meanwhile, has already conducted a survey on vaccination.

“A survey has been conducted among the hostellers. A majority of our students and staff members are vaccinated with at least one dose,” said Prof SK Tomar, Dean Student Welfare, PU.

Sources though claimed that the survey had been only conducted among hostellers and resident staff members. The authorities are likely to conduct a similar survey among other students now.

“During the survey, many students reportedly failed to fill the form and submit their vaccination status. The authorities are in no hurry. We will be waiting to hear instructions from the office of the Director, Higher Education, on reopening of the campus,” said a source.

The management of local colleges have decided to hold a similar survey.

“A report will be made and places before the authorities. Most of the students above 18 years have been vaccinated with a single dose. However, the instructions have to come from the higher authorities,” said a faculty member.

“Other problems, including teaching in both online and offline mode, conducting physical examinations, opening of canteens, libraries and labs, will also be discussed with the higher ups,” the member added.

Sources also claimed that the colleges would be open after August 15 and students would be given option of attending either online or offline classes. However, examinations will be conducted through a single mode. 

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