UGC to take decision on current, this week

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 27

The University Grants Commission (UGC) will consider reports submitted by two committees before taking a final call on the current and next academic sessions, affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic, sometime this week.

In a communiqué to the universities, issued on April 25, the UGC Secretary said that the commission will meet next week to decide in the larger interest of the students.

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

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

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

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

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

New session in September?

Sources said that it has been recommended to start the new academic year for colleges and universities in September, instead of July. It has been also recommended to take online classes, no winter holidays in next session, classes on Saturdays and some others important suggestions declaring results. The final notification will be issued by UGC through MHRD.