Deemed univs to reopen next week

Deemed univs to reopen next week

Institutes Want Govt To Relax One Student Per Room Rule

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:17.02.2021

Deemed universities across the state have begun preparations to accommodate more students, including those from other states, starting next week. A few institutions suggested that the government consider relaxing quarantine norms that allows only one student per room in the hostel.

Faced with the possibility of more students entering campuses, particularly hostels, many institutions have split the hostel mess, moving canteens to an open space and providing Wi-Fi in hostel rooms so students can attend online classes as they wait out the quarantine period. Schedules for physical classes, online classes and allowing students in turns are also being considered.

“SRM Institute of Science and Technology is planning to reopen for students in a phased manner from February 22,” said S Ponnusamy, registrar (in-charge). SRMIST campus in Kattankulathur is is among the largest.

SASTRA is planning staggered start to physical classes for first year students from February 24. “First year students will have optional doubt clarification and lab exposure sessions so that those requiring quarantine can stay in hostels. The exams for first semester students will start on March 8,” said vice-chancellor S Vaidhyasubramaniam.

After these exams, second semester classes will begin and go on till May. Meanwhile, students belonging to other years will attend classes online. After first year students leave campus, second, third and final year students will come in for practical classes and exams.

Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS) has begun physical classes for third year students. “Only 50% of hostel students have been called back. We will follow a rotation system,” said chancellor Ishari K Ganesh.

A Azad, registrar of BS Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, said, “Though we have sufficient number of rooms and large halls to follow all the Covid-19 protocols, we will split the classes to have only 50% of students in theory and practical classes at a time.”

Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science is planning to invite students in a staggered manner from March. “At present, we have reopened only for outgoing students to conduct practical classes. The hostels are being prepared for reopening,” said pro-vice-chancellor R W Alexander Jesudasan.

Deemed universities urged the UGC to revise its guidelines to allow hostels to operate at 50% capacity. “With just one student per hostel room, it would be difficult to finish the practicals and exams for students on time. Asking the students to stay at a relative’s or friend’s place is not possible,” said Vaidhyasubramaniam, adding that it would be difficult to conduct both physical and online classes for the same batch of students.

Sandeep Sancheti, former vice-chancellor of SRMIST, said quarantining hostel students for 14 days would be a challenge. “Students are very keen to return. Hostel students will return in big numbers if the quarantine rule is relaxed,” he said.

With more students to enter hostels, many institutions have split the hostel mess, moving canteens to an open space and are providing Wi-Fi in hostel rooms so students can attend online classes during the quarantine period