UGC to take call on academic session next week

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 26

The University Grants Commission (UGC) will consider the reports submitted by two committees before taking a call on the current and next academic sessions during a meeting next week.

In a communiqué to the universities, the UGC Secretary said the commission would meet next week to reach a decision in the larger interest of the students.

After the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the sessions of all colleges and universities, the UGC constituted two committees to look into the issues pertaining to teaching/learning processes, examination, admissions, academic calendars and others.

The committees were tasked to find various ways to avoid academic loss and suggest appropriate measures for the future of students.

“The decision is most likely to come in the meeting of the UGC that is scheduled for the next week. The recommendations are believed to be in the favour of students, considering the ongoing situation. However, the issue still needs to be discussed due to its sophisticated nature,” said a source.

The first committee was formed under the chairmanship of Prof RC Kuhad, former member of the UGC, and the Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Haryana. Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Raj Kumar was also one of the members. The committee was given the responsibility to look into the issues related to examinations and academic calendar. The second committee was formed under the chairmanship of Prof Nageshwar Rao, Vice-Chancellor, Indra Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Their responsibility was to deal with problems related to promoting online education.

“Both committees submitted their reports on April 24 to the UGC. The reports will be discussed in commission meeting and based on the decision, the UGC will issue guidelines /advisories next week to the universities and colleges regarding measures to be taken for the current academic session as well as the next academic session,” said a communiqué signed by the UGC secretary.

New session in September suggested

Sources said it has been recommended to start the new academic session for colleges and universities in September instead of July. It has been also recommended to take online classes, cancel winter holidays for the next session and hold classes on Saturdays. The final notification will be issued by the UGC through the MHRD.