Panjab University blended-mode exams conclude

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1

The first-ever blended (online/offline) mode examinations conducted by Panjab University concluded today.

Around 80,000 students of undergraduate, postgraduate and other professional courses, including USOL and private candidates, appeared for the exams that started on September 17.

Prof Parvinder Singh, Controller of Examination (CoE), said the exams continued for 14 days continuously, including weekends. As many as 1,400 exams were conducted in three slots — 9 am to 11 am, 10 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm.

The CoE said the exam for Environment and Road Safety Education was also conducted online. For the facilitation of the candidates from far-flung areas, a special nodal officer was deputed to resolve their issues.

“Evaluation of all papers is being undertaken by the university and college teachers. Online portal link for submission of awards was made available for the first time to departments and colleges for updating marks of the UG and PG classes,” said Singh.

“Prof Raj Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, remained connected with us throughout this period to take stock of the situation and congratulated our team for successful completion of the exit semester exams,” added Singh.

He said many queries of principals/chief coordinators/chairpersons were properly and instantly resolved by him personally and his technical team. “Emergency question papers were also made available at 40 nodal centres in various affiliated colleges. The downloading and uploading of question papers and uploading of the answer sheets went off smoothly for all exams,” said Singh.

Sources said the authorities were thinking to adopt this mode of taking exams as a regular feature.

“We need some kind of modifications, more security, connectivity and technical assistance in terms of infrastructure and a team to conduct such mode of examinations that is easy and authentic,” said a source .