‘Degrees sans exams will impact career of students’

‘Degrees sans exams will impact career of students’

Temples Of Education Can Be Reopened Now: UGC Vice-Chairperson

12.07.2020

Chandan.Chatterjee@timesgroup.com

UGC vice-chairperson Bhushan Patwardhan firmly believes examination is an integral part of the academic system. He told TOI in an online interview that cancelling exams, citing the Covid-19 situation, would have a long-term negative impact on students’ careers. Excerpts:

How should Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) conduct the exams, considering the spurt in Covid-19 cases in Pune?

Not just SPPU but any university, can go for online, offline, a combination of both or open book exam, depending on what suits which course the best. If the university decides to go for offline exam for some subjects, they should ensure all safety protocols, including physical distance and sanitisation norms, prescribed by the UGC.

Now that most hostels of varsities are vacated, what happens if a student in a remote area can’t take the online exam because of connectivity/gadget issues?

The UGC has allowed varsities or colleges to give such students one-time special examination. Such examinations can be proctored or conducted in different cities/ towns with the help of local government bodies.

The Maharashtra government has stressed that it is impossible to conduct the final-year exams by September because of the Covid-19 situation. Your take?

Agreeably, there are real challenges in conducting examinations in the Covid-19 situation. But when there is a will, there is a way. During Unlock-1, liquor shops and salons were reopened and home delivery was allowed. Now, temples are also being opened. Thus, temples of knowledge can also be reopened with all safety measures and precautions.

Why the UGC is firm on conducting the exams when the pandemic is peaking?

Exams are an integral part of the academic life-cycle. Will you trust a doctor who has not appeared in the final exam, or an engineer or a pharmacist for that matter? Awarding academic degree without examination is not acceptable. In the US and the UK, most of the reputed universities have either completed or deferred final-year examinations. Current global picture indicates that 73 countries have postponed/rescheduled, 23 have introduced alternative approaches and 22 have maintained exams, while only 11 countries have cancelled them altogether. This scenario supports the UGC policy regarding the examinations.

What if no exams are conducted?

It will set a wrong example. Such students would be labelled as “Covid Batch”. Sanctity of their degree will remain questionable.

Will the students be affected if there are no exams?

Of course. The transcript of universities on report cards can spoil their career. If only “Pass” is written as result, many students will find it difficult to pursue higher studies. A few years down the line, there can be hardships on career progression and the job front too.

Is there a possibility of average students gaining from no exams?

No way. An average student might have prepared very well for the final exam/semester. If the exam is conducted, that particular student’s grades can improve. And, meritorious students will naturally have the chance of bettering their grades.

Then why students are clamouring against exams?

It’s a wrong conception. I know many students who want the exams to be conducted. They may not be as vocal. We have done a great disservice by keeping them waiting so long for the exams, triggering anxiety. Teachers and parents need to tell them that such shortcuts may be very detrimental in the long run.

Several faculty members claimed that many universities would not be able to conduct exams by September 30 because there is too little time to prepare.

On April 29, the UGC had told the varsities to conduct the final exams by July-end. Had the universities acted in time, many problems faced today could have been avoided. Now, we have extended the deadline till September 30. We are keeping a close watch on the situation.