What if my child alone tests negative? Parents look for official answers

What if my child alone tests negative? Parents look for official answers

“During other situations, staying with relatives would be an option but here relatives may also be hesitant to take the child in, if the rest of its family has tested positive,” he said.

Published: 12th July 2020 06:00 AM 

By Nirupama Viswanathan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Parents in the city now have one more worry apart from Covid. What would happen to their children if the rest of the family tests positive, and is whisked away to hospitals or care centres?

“Recently, a family was taken away to a hospital when they had a 10-year-old at home. The child was then sent to its grandmother who was the only one in the family who tested negative,” said Ramiah Ariya, a resident of Thiruvanmiyur.

“But what if she also had been positive and the child had been younger than 10? In my case, I have a 3-year-old daughter,” he added. Parents need to know the options they have at hand if and when they face such a situation, he said. “During other situations, staying with relatives would be an option but here relatives may also be hesitant to take the child in, if the rest of its family has tested positive,” he said.

Express has earlier reported the ordeal of a 14-year-old boy who was home alone when he found out his father had died of Covid. His mother had been admitted to a care centre.“There needs to be a clear and uniform protocol across districts also for these situations. For example, in Chennai, if we tell authorities that the child is alone, they may permit them to be quarantined at home but in Chengalpattu, the authorities stay that institutional quarantine for the parents is the only option,” said a Chennai based doctor who works with an airline.

When contacted, a senior Corporation officials said that there are a few options available in these cases. “Wherever home quarantine is possible, we allow that. There are also cases where the child may be allowed to stay with the mother at Covid Care Centres,” the official said. However, this may increase the child’s exposure to the virus.“If the family is willing, they can be temporarily taken care or in the Corporation’s shelters. However, we are always ready to serve such requests and work out a solution,” the official said.

Lockdown effect? Daily cases in Chennai drop by 53 per cent in July

Lockdown effect? Daily cases in Chennai drop by 53 per cent in July

However, the daily tests, which touched the 10,000-mark in the first week of July, has lately been around 8,000.

Published: 12th July 2020 10:58 PM |

By OMJASVIN M D

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Chennai's COVID-19 curve continues to see a gradual decline since July 1, from 2,182 positive cases to 1,168 cases on July 12. This is a 53 per cent decline of cases.

From July 1 to 12, the city had recorded 18,831 cases while till June 30, it had recorded 58,561 cases. The cases from July 1 have increased at a level of 32 per cent, which is lower than it was in June.

Till June 19, the city had recorded 38,327 cases and between June 19 and 30, cases rose at a level of 52 per cent as the city recorded 20,234 cases in the period.

The cases have stabilised even after the intense lockdown was relaxed on July 5. The cases gradually came down from 1747 to 1168. The city is currently recording cases at the same rate of which it recorded in the first two weeks of June.

However, these early trends could be an aftereffect of the intense lockdown from June 19 to July 5, and also the increased testing from 5,000 to 10,000 in the first week of July.

Since the restrictions have been relaxed, one has to wait for a few days to know if this is a temporary dip or a sustained one.

While the early trends look positive, the city corporation is expected to strengthen its contain strategies by moving it's fever camps to work places and crowded areas.

"This is something which was in the plans for the past week. Fever camps would be extended to markets and factories as people are now going for work,'' a top corporation official said.

So far, 9.91 lakh people have attended the 15,704 conducted by the corporation till July 11. A total of 44,616 samples were taken from the camps and 11,663 turned positive in that, which is a positivity rate of 25.46 per cent.

Corporation Commissioner G Prakash said that a market regulation committee will be monitoring the overcrowded markets in the city.

"81 divisional assistant engineers will head the committee and ensure the fish, meat, vegetable markets, provisional stores practice social distancing, and vendors, people wear masks," he said.

He added that 32 circles officers have been appointed to monitor if all the shops in the city had hand sanitizers in place for customers.

Meanwhile, giving more positive news, 75 per cent of people who were infected have been discharged in the city, and there are only 24 per cent of active cases.

Royapuram, which was seemed to be in an unrecoverable stage in June, now has only 14 per cent active cases, and Tondiarpet has 17 per cent, while Thiruvika Nagar, which emerged as a huge cluster following a prayer meeting, now has only 20 per cent active cases.

However, the daily tests, which touched the 10,000-mark in the first week of July, has lately been around 8,000.

Banks in Chennai asked to suspend non-essential operations

Banks in Chennai asked to suspend non-essential operations

People need not go to banks for non-essential services and must make use of technology for the services possible, Corporation Commissioner G Prakash told reporters on Sunday.

Published: 13th July 2020 04:16 AM |

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: People need not go to banks for non-essential services and must make use of technology for the services possible, Corporation Commissioner G Prakash told reporters on Sunday. “We have asked banks in the city to suspend non-essential services like updating passbooks.

Small withdrawals can be made through ATMs. People shall go to banks only when it is absolutely necessary” he said. Over 1,500 banks and their branches are to be operating in the city. 

He also said that all shops that violate operational guidelines like enforcement of physical distancing and wearing of masks will be placed under lock and sealed. “The aim is not to close down the shops. This is for the greater good. We have set up 32 market management committees to monitor 81 markets in the city,” he said. The usage of masks in the city is about 70-80%.

However, youngsters should refrain from thinking that they are immune to the virus, he added. In the past one month, around 7.67 lakh people have been brought into the quarantine cycle, of which, around 2.87 lakh people have completed their 14-day quarantine, he noted

Medical colleges uncertain over exams, await MCI guidelines

Medical colleges uncertain over exams, await MCI guidelines

TNN | Jul 12, 2020, 07.28 AM IST

While the University Grants Commission (UGC) has released the revised guidelines for university exams, uncertainty looms large over medical colleges as the management wait for the fresh directives from the Medical Council of India (MCI).

"The institute has suspended all the internal, external and other exams till any guidelines are issued by the MCI. The directives are expected to come out by mid-August post which the decision will be taken," says Dr CMS Rawat, principal and dean, VCSG Government Medical College, Uttarakhand.

"The mode and manner of the exams will be decided based on MCI guidelines. In case the situation is not favourable for holding exams at the campus, the institute may opt for virtual assessment," says Dr Maha Singh, associate professor, Department of Paediatrics, Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College, Haryana.

Delay in exam will impact final year students

The delay in the exam is likely to impact the final year students more as it will have a consequent effect in their internships, PG admissions and taking up jobs, adds Singh. "Examination for MBBS final year students is important as they have to appear for an internship after the exam. Timely assessment and internship will ensure completion of their course within the stipulated tenure. The extension of the course may deprive these students of NEET PG and other job opportunities," he says. The exams for junior batch can be adjusted during the entire duration of their five-year course, he adds.

Provisional promotion

While many colleges are still waiting for the guidelines for students' assessment, several others have resorted to provisional promotions. AIIMS Patna, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS) have provisionally promoted the undergraduate students to the next level without assessment. The exams for these students will be held once the situation improves.

"As per the guidelines from Dental Council of India ( DCI), undergraduate students of all batches except final year have been promoted to the next year. The exams for these students may be conducted as and when feasible," says Dr Sangeeta Talwar, principal, MAIDS. Meanwhile, MAIDS is currently holding the theory exams for final year PG students. Online internal assessments have also been concluded for undergraduate students. "The exams for the final year UG students will be held based on directions from the Delhi University," she adds.

4 medics of Bundi hosp infected due to negligence

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Kota:  13.07.2020

Alleged negligence by the principal medical officer of Bundi district government hospital of not isolating the medical staff of a ward where a woman tested Covid positive after death on Friday led to the doctor, two male nurses and a contractual computer operator getting infected on Sunday.

A 30-year-old woman of Kanti Astoli village, 5km from the district headquarters, was admitted to the medical ward of the district government hospital on Thursday. After her condition worsened, she was referred to MBS Hospital in Kota where she died during treatment at night.

Her swab samples, taken prior to her death, tested her Corona positive on Friday registering the first Covid death in the district.

Pincipal medical officer KC Meena and hospital authorities, ignoring Covid guidelines and health risks, allegedly did not allow the medical staff of the ward go on home isolation and forced them to work at the hospital.

The hospital authorities did not even bother to take samples of the medical staff, though some of them voluntarily gave their samples for tests. on Sunday, two male nurses agead around 35 years, a 35-year-old doctor and a 22-yearold contractual computer operator, all posted at Bundi district hospital and residents of various areas of the city, tested positive.

HC junks plea on RU V-C selection

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Jaipur: 13.07.2020

The Rajasthan High Court dismissed a writ petition challenging the procedure to select vice-chancellor of Rajasthan University (RU). The court said it will refrain from entertaining the petition as it believes the UGC Regulations 2018 will be considered and applied in the selection process that is in progress.

The HC bench, comprising Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice Prakash Gupta, dismissed the petition for being pre-mature.

The petition was filed by one C S Meena, a probable candidate for the V-C post. In the petition, he alleged that guidelines of UGC were not followed during the selection process.

“In the advertisement for RU V-C post, it has been mentioned that eligible person having ‘equivalent position’ can apply for the post. However, the term ‘equivalent position’ has been omitted by the UGC in 2018 regulations which should be followed while appointing the new V-C,” argues Meena in the petition. There have been many objections raised in the past one month on the process of search committee.

West Bengal: Students seek stay on MBBS exams

West Bengal: Students seek stay on MBBS exams

TNN | Jul 13, 2020, 04.58 AM IST

By: Subrata Chattaraj

KOLKATA: A section of MBBS students from West Bengal University of Health Sciences has filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court against conducting the second professional MBBS and third professional Part I MBBS examinations from July 14 to 21, seeking a stay due to the Covid-19 situation.

The students pleaded that in the absence of public transport, they would not be able to appear for the exams. The case is likely to be heard by the HC on Monday, said Firdous Shamim, lawyer for the aggrieved students.

Shamim said that the MBBS students lived in different parts of Bengal and some were from outside the state. So it would be difficult for them to commute while Covid-19 cases rose. Moreover, there was no regular train or bus service. He added that state higher education department, too, had asked to keep all institutes closed till July 31.

Gopa Biswas, one of the lawyers appearing with Bikash Bhattacharya for the MBBS students, wrote to the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court that many students lived in containment zones and moving out will be a health hazard for them.

Varsity exams: NSUI, ABVP in war of words

Varsity exams: NSUI, ABVP in war of words

Chandigarh:13.07.2020

In the wake of University Grants Commission (UGC) issuing guidelines to conduct final-year university examinations, the Haryana units of National Students Union of India (NSUI) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) have joined a war of words over the issue.

Haryana NSUI president Divyanshu Budhiraja has flayed ABVP for maintaining silence over the issue of examinations as advised by the UGC. “In a bid to have political vendetta, the ABVP is trying to justify the stand taken by the various authorities,’’ wrote Budhiraja in his Twitter handle.

Purnoor, member of state executive of Haryana ABVP, said, “We strongly support the safety and security of students. We shall oppose only if the universities and the authorities do not assure the same.” TNN

MUHS Notification 13.07.2020 TOI

Centre not in favour of call to cancel exams

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:  13.07.2020

Citing that many states and over 200 universities had already completed their terminal semester/final year examinations, the Centre has told states that assessment for the final year students have to be conducted in the long term interest of the students.

While saying that the government will examine the requests of six states for cancellation of examination of the final year students due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation, a senior official at the ministry of human resource development said that the regulations of the University Grants Commission (UGC) are mandatory and central directions take precedence.

‘UGC regulations are mandatory’

On July 6, UGC’s revised guidelines directed the higher education institutions that final year examinations would be conducted in the month of September 2020, instead of July 2020 (as per its April guidelines). The decision was taken by the expert committee in view of the prevailing situation.

Speaking to TOI, Amit Khare, secretary, higher education. MHRD said that while only six states have written to it for reconsidering the UGC’s decision on final year examinations, there are 200 universities across the country which have already completed the process.

On a few states announcing the cancellation of examinations, Khare said: “The UGC regulations are mandatory and it has been clearly stated that examinations have to take place in September, 2020. Higher education being in the Concurrent List, central directions take precedence. As per the UGC Act, state governments cannot take this decision. UGC and All India Council for Technical Education have to be implemented.”

Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Maharashtra, Odisha and West Bengal have written to the Centre saying that conducting exams in the states would not be feasible and on Saturday, Delhi government also became the first state to cancel exams after the announcement of the revised UGC guidelines.

200 nurses are infected, 3 dead, says association

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com  13.07.2020

Bengaluru: In a huge blow to the state in its battle against the pandemic, at least 200 nurses have contracted the novel coronavirus, the Karnataka State Trained Nurses Association said. It said three died due to the infection, although only two were tested posthumously. However, all three worked in Covid-19 facilities and had developed complications.

A 55-year-old woman nurse from Santosh Hospital in Bengaluru, who died recently, was treated as a Covid-19 patient, while a 42-yearold male nurse from Bidar, died of acute breathlessness, but no posthumous swab test was conducted.

Another male nurse, a 57-year-old from KC General Hospital, Bengaluru, died in his hometown Chitradurga a week ago. He had tested negative three days prior to his death, but developed acute breathlessness and severe acute respiratory infection before dying. None of the bereaved families have got any compensation from the government so far.

Twenty nurses of a private hospital in Jayanagar have tested positive so far, while 20 of the 60 healthcare staffers who have tested positive at Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research are nurses. The association has asked the government to provide data of nurses infected.

“The service of nurses is yet to be recognized,” the association said. “Fearing infection, nurses are not turning up for work. The need is to boost their morale and provide them with all the safety equipment possible.”

The association has written to the CM seeking extension of the PM’s Covid Relief Fund (for families of deceased frontline workers) to nurses in the private sector too.

The nurse to patient ratio is skewed with each nurse caring for 40-50 patients. “Ideally, for Covid-19 work, the ratio should not exceed 1:10. But we are also filling in for our colleagues who are on leave,” said a nurse. And then, there is the stigma. “We who treat Covid-19 are not welcome at home. If we are infected, we have to go back to the ward as patients. This leads to stress, anxiety, sense of hopelessness,” a nurse said.

Besides being overworked, nurses also say they are grossly underpaid since the package offered at the time of recruitment is way lower compared to other states.

“Recently, Andhra Pradesh offered Rs 34,000 as month salary for nurses,” said Dr Girijamba Devi, general secretary, Trained Nurses’ Association, Karnataka chapter. “In Mumbai, the recruitment notification mentioned Rs 30,000 per month as salary. But in Karnataka, a notification issued by Tumakuru district hospital offered just Rs 11,500 per month for a nurse. Why such disparity?”

Vijayamma S, assistant director, nursing services, health and family welfare department, admitted the department is yet to compile data on infected nurses. “Department brass are yet to tell me to compile the data,” Vijayammma said. “Nurses are as vulnerable to Covid-19 as are other health workers.”

HELPLINE LAUNCHED

United Nurses Association, Karnataka State Committee has launched a helpline to raise grievances faced by nurses working in Covid-19 wards. In a social media post, the association said authorities must, “Provide quality PPE, give complete salary, no forceful extra duty can be done, free Covid test and security. Any nurse facing problems can call 8095422444.” TNN

Govt to review 6 states’ plea for cancellation of final-year exams

‘Exams Have To Be Held In Long-Term Interest Of Students’

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi: 13.07.2020

Citing that many states and over 200 universities had already completed their terminal semester/final year examinations, the Centre has told states that assessment for the final year students have to be conducted in the long-term interest of the students.

While saying that the government will examine the requests of six states for cancellation of examination of the final year students due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation, a senior official at the ministry of human resource development (MHRD) said that the regulations of the University Grants Commission (UGC) are mandatory and central directions take precedence.

On July 6, UGC’s revised guidelines directed the higher education institutions that final year examinations would be conducted in the month of September 2020, instead of July 2020 (as per its April guidelines). The decision was taken by the expert committee in view of the prevailing situation.

Speaking to TOI, Amit Khare, secretary, higher education. MHRD said while only six states have written to it for reconsidering UGC’s decision on final year examinations, there are 200 universities across the country which already completed the process.

On a few states announcing cancellation of examinations, Khare said: “The UGC regulations are mandatory and it has been clearly stated examinations have to take place in September, 2020. Higher education being in Concurrent List, central directions take precedence. As per UGC Act, state governments cannot take this decision. UGC and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) have to be implemented.”

He said MHRD and UGC, instead of taking a populist step of cancelling the exams, is concerned about situation and is taking a long term view in the interest of the batch of 2020. Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Maharashtra, Odisha and West Bengal have written to the Centre saying conducting exams in the states would not be feasible and on Saturday, Delhi government also became the first state to cancel exams after the announcement of the revised UGC guidelines.

On July 6, UGC directed higher education institutions that final year examinations would be conducted in September 2020

‘Exams have to be held in interest of students’

Govt: Will Take Call On Cancellation Requests

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:  13.07.2020

Citing that many states and over 200 universities had already completed their terminal semester/final year examinations, the Centre has told states that assessment for the final year students have to be conducted in the long-term interest of the students.

While saying that the government will examine the requests of six states for cancellation of examination of the final year students due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation, a senior official at the ministry of human resource development (MHRD) said that the regulations of the University Grants Commission (UGC) are mandatory and central directions take precedence.

On July 6, UGC’s revised guidelines directed the higher education institutions that final year examinations would be conducted in the month of September 2020.

Speaking to TOI, Amit Khare, secretary, higher education. MHRD said that while only six states have written to it for reconsidering the UGC’s decision on final year examinations, there are 200 universities across the country which have already completed the process.

On a few states announcing the cancellation of examinations, Khare said: “The UGC regulations are mandatory and it has been clearly stated that examinations have to take place by September, 2020. Higher education being in the Concurrent List, central directions take precedence. As per the UGC Act, state governments cannot take this decision. UGC and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) have to be implemented.”

He said the MHRD and UGC, instead of taking a populist step of cancelling the exams, is concerned about the situation and is taking a long term view in the interest of the batch of 2020.

Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Maharashtra, Odisha and West Bengal have written to the Centre saying that conducting exams in the states would not be feasible and on Saturday, Delhi also became the first state to cancel exams after the announcement of the revised UGC guidelines.

Even world’s best univs not awarding certificates without assessment: UGC

Cancellation of final year exams will not be in the interest of the students, the University Grants Commission (UGC) said, stating that it has given ample time and options to the universities to conduct the exams. It said that conducting the exams would be in the long term interest and life time credibility of the students, and that its guidelines are aligned towards bringing uniformity in terms of assessment. The regulatory authority pointed out that due to the pandemic, even the best universities across the world are conducting online examinations and no one is awarding any certificates without any assessment, reports Manash Gohain.

The UGC had directed all higher education institutions to conduct the terminal semester/ final year examinations either in offline, online or blended mode. Full report on www.toi.in

Delhi treatment rates to apply in other states

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi: 13.07.2020

Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries living in states that are yet to fix Covid-19 treatment charges in private hospitals will pay as per the rates prescribed by the Delhi government until their states fix their own charges.

In an official memorandum issued recently, the health ministry directed that CGHS rates for treatment of Covid 19 in private empanelled hospitals in respect of CGHS beneficiaries in acity shall be as per the package rate prescribed by the concerned state government.

“In case, no such rate has been prescribed by the state government in any CGHS city, the rates prescribed by the government of NCT Delhi, shall be applicable till rates are notified by the state government concerned,” the memorandum said.

According to the charges announced by the Delhi government on 20 June, an isolation bed at a NABH-accredited hospital is ₹10,000 per day, whereas that in non-NABH hospitals is ₹8,000 per day. Charges for an ICU without a ventilator in severe sickness are ₹15,000 in NABH hospitals and ₹13,000 in non-NABH hospitals. For very severe sickness, the charges for ICU with a ventilator jumps to ₹18,000 and ₹15,000, respectively.

Full report on www.toi.in

HC relief to doc who wants to pursue PG course

K.Kaushik@timesgroup.com

Madurai:  13.07.2020

Granting relief to a doctor who sought return of her certificates to pursue postgraduate diploma course, the Madras high court has directed her to furnish adequate security, instead of a bank guarantee as mandated by the health and family welfare department, taking into consideration that she hails from a middle class family.

R Elanthendral had completed MBBS in 2016. She joined diploma in child health course at government medical college at Thanjavur district. After completion of the course, the petitioner was appointed as an assistant surgeon in Avudaiyarkoil government hospital in December 2019.

After completing the diploma course, the petitioner appeared in the National Board of Examination Super Specialty post diploma centralised entrance test to pursue post diploma course in paediatrics. The petitioner had cleared the entrance exam and the last date for payment of fees and submission of certificates is August 5. Since the petitioner did not pay the bond amount, the original certificates were not returned to her.

A GO, dated April 13, was passed by the health and family welfare department which mandates to furnish bank guarantee of 20 lakh, if the medical practitioners who have not completed the period of compulsory service want to pursue further studies and to re-join the government service.

The counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that she hails from a middle class family and it would not be possible for her to execute a bank guarantee of Rs20 lakh.

The special government pleader submitted that GO has been issued to sternly deal with the breaches committed as people like the petitioner do not offer themselves after completing the course.

Taking into consideration the hardship of the petitioner, justice C Saravanan directed the petitioner to furnish postdated cheques in favour of the director of medical education for 50% (Rs10 lakh) of the bond amount and for the total stipend amount paid to the petitioner.

The judge directed the authorities to return the original certificates after the petitioner complies with the condition. After the petitioner joins duty after completing the course, the amount encashed by the authorities shall be refunded to the petitioner, added the judge.

SRM cancels engg entrance exam for 2020 admissions

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 13.07.2020

In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) has cancelled its joint engineering entrance exam SRMJEEE for BTech admissions this year. The exam was planned to be held in 127 cities and five overseas centres in Dubai, Doha, Muscat, Bahrain and Kuwait.

The admissions for BTech for 2020 will be based on Class XII/ pre-university/ equivalent marks in physics, chemistry, maths/biology. Those who appeared for JEE Main and SAT are encouraged to apply, a release from the university said.

The forms for providing the Class XII/ pre-university/ equivalent marks and JEE (Main)/ SAT score are available on the university website www.srmist.edu.in.

Applicants can swiftly update and complete their forms. In case the results of the class 12 board examination are not declared, the marks can be uploaded as soon as the results are known.

“SRMIST will continue to award a wide range of scholarships for deserving candidates, including the ones who scored high in JEE Main and SAT examinations, on joining. However, the SRMJEEE rank-based scholarships will not be available,” the release added.

The admission process at SRMIST will begin soon. Candidates can visit www.srmist.edu.in for applying online or for updates. “Classes for freshers will begin in September 2020, be it on campus, online or a combination of both, adhering to government notification and norms and taking into account the safety and security of students,” the release further said.

Faulty readings from cheap oximeters trigger panic

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai: 13.07.2020

With the demand for pulse oximeters increasing, low-cost devices have flooded market. Inaccurate readings of such kits are spreading panic among people, doctors say.

A pulse oximeter is a tool to monitor oxygen saturation level and can pick up Covid-induced hypoxia, lowoxygen level in the blood, early.

Tamil Nadu government, which has been campaigning the use of these kits and has so far procured 23,000 kits, will get another 20,000 kits by this week, said M R Vijayabaskar, state health minister.

With the government and doctors promoting the use of such kits, many households and commercial establishments began buying them, leading to a shortfall in the market. Several companies tried to cash in on the panic buying by selling oximeters at ₹800-₹1,000 online. A standard kit costs around more than ₹1,500 online and also in the drug stores.

But reviews posted by several buyers online suggest that readings of these kits were unreliable and fluctuated wildly.

Raghavan, a resident of Madipakkam, who bought one such low-cost kit, said the kit showed 98% oxygen saturation level for all his family members. “But that’s not possible. If we were to rely on this, we wouldn’t have known if there was an emergency that needed one of us to reach a hospital,” he said.

Public health expert K Kolandaisamy said the devices usually were accurate when showing high levels of oxygen saturation (above 90%) and might have slight variations while presenting lower levels.

“Readings might drop by three points in the afternoon and another two points further in the evening. Any significant drop beyond that indicates that either the patient needs medical attention or the equipment is faulty,” he said.

Medical experts said oximeters can be cross-checked by comparing readings with those taken using proper equipment at hospitals. Since it is not practically possible for all, it is better to get them from neighbourhood pharmacists whom residents are familiar with or from recognised medical equipment stores. One should not rely on cheaper products online or at fly-by-night suppliers in department stores and roadside shops, a doctor said.

Also, many WhatsApp messages and online videos recommend usage of oxygen canisters if the readings drop below 90%.

“Use of such cans without proper medical advice, particularly by smokers who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), could cause death and the best thing to do is to approach a nearby hospital,” said A B Gopalamurugan, senior interventional cardiologist from Kauvery Hospital.

UGC to univs: Exams must, mode flexible

UGC to univs: Exams must, mode flexible

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:13.07.2020

Cancellation of final year exams will not be in the interest of the students, the University Grants Commission (UGC) said, stating that it has given ample time and options to the universities to conduct the exams. The regulatory authority said its guidelines are aligned towards bringing uniformity in terms of assessment and pointed out that even the best universities across the world are conducting online examinations due to the pandemic and no one is awarding any certificates without any assessment.

The UGC guidelines of April and the revised guidelines of July changes the examination window from July to September. However, it directed all higher education institutions to conduct the terminal semester/ final year examinations either in offline, online or blended mode. The first and second year students were exempted from the exams and will be assessed based on previous semester’s performance and internal assessments.

Stating that the UGC’s expert committee issued an inclusive guideline, Rajnish Jain, secretary, UGC said: “Examinations should be conducted. The UGC issues broader guidelines and decisions of conducting exams have to be taken by the universities. In order to bring uniformity in terms of assessment it should be based on examinations and universities are given the option of conducting them in offline, online and blended mode.”

Govt to review states’ plea for nixing exams

The Centre told states that assessment for the final-year students has to be conducted in the long-term interest of students as many states and over 200 universities have already completed their terminal semester/final-year exams. While saying the Centre will examine the requests of six states for cancellation of exams due to Covid, a senior HRD official said UGC regulations are mandatory and central directions take precedence over states’ opinion.

UGC guidelines must for all higher education institutes

Jain said, “If for any reason a student cannot take the exam the guidelines have made provision for a special exam to be conducted by the university at a conducive time.”

Stating that the UGC has come to know of the announcements of some states from the media, only the Punjab government has written to it.

“We have received a letter from the Punjab government and we replied back giving a number of reasons about how the decision has been taken in the long term interest and life time credibility (of students). This decision has been taken with admissions to higher education and employment opportunities in mind and we have asked them to reconsider their decision,” said Jain.

The guidelines of the UGC are mandatory for all higher education institutions – government and private universities and deemed universities.

However, these guidelines are not applicable for the 155 institutions of National Importance.While the conduct of exams have been tagged as a move that puts students’ in harm’s way, Jain said that the government will not do anything which jeopardises lives and it has been a well-considered decision.

“Nobody is giving any certificates without assessment. The best institutions globally are opting for online and blended modes of examinations, but are not cancelling examinations...our primary concern is the teaching and we are concerned for their well-being.”

Full report on www.toi.in

'Sheer Violation Of Students' Fundamental Rights': MP Law Students Writes To CJI Against MHA Order Permitting Conduct Of University Exams

Livelaw

'Sheer Violation Of Students' Fundamental Rights': MP Law Students Writes To CJI Against MHA Order Permitting Conduct Of University Exams 

Akshita Saxena

11 July 2020 6:13 PM 

A letter petition has been sent to the CJI, stating that the Government order directing Universities to compulsorily conduct examination of final year students is in "sheer violation" of the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of India, as it fails to consider the principles of health, safety, fair and equal opportunity for the students. 

The representation has been made by Yash Dubey, a final year law student in the Bhopal University and also the Circle Head at the Youth Bar Association of India (Student Wing). He has urged the Apex Court to take suo-moto of the issue and to put the Academic Calendar for the Universities "in abeyance", till the situation of Covid-19 normalizes. 

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs had permitted the conduct of exams by Universities and Institutions vide notification dated July 6, 2020 and had ordered the Universities to compulsorily conduct examination of final year students as per UGC guidelines and Standard Operating Procedure. 

In furtherance of the aforementioned notification, UGC has issued revised guidelines for University examination for terminal semester students whereby it instructed Universities to conduct exams in offline (pen & paper)/ online/ blended (offline + online) mode. 

In his letter, Dubey has asserted that in addition to the health risks, it will also be extremely difficult for a large section of the students to pay their examination fee or to bear stay and travel expenses to the source where the examination will be conducted. 

"The UGC has cited examples of top-ranking Universities such as MIT, Cambridge for conduction of examination during Covid-19 Pandemic. However, by doing so, the UGC has totally neglected the unprecedented difficulties that our country is facing in times of pandemic. To say the least, in these testing days, a section of our society is not able to arrange bread and butter for a day. Therefore, in view of the current difficulties that our country is facing, it is quite unrealistic to justify the reasoning of conduction of virtual examination by relying on examples of the premier institutions of the world," the letter states. 

Dubey has challenged the compulsory conduct of examination of the final year students, inter alia, on the following grounds: 

· The Revised Guidelines are in sheer violation of the fundamental rights enshrined under Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) of the Constitution of India, as it fails to consider the principles of health, safety, fair and equal opportunity for the students; 

· In view of rising numbers of the Covid-19 cases in the country, the conduct of examination (either online/offline/blended) will expose both the examiners and examinees to great health risks; 

· The conduct of offline exams will entail students (who have already travelled to their hometown) to migrate from one place to another, in order to attend the examination. This will also involve risk of staying in shared accommodation as various colleges and hostels have been converted into quarantine centres; 

· It will be absolutely unjust to neglect the problems that will be faced by thousands of students, who will sit for online examination as the same will indubitably work against the interest of students whose access to internet is precarious and who do not have personal computers or laptops in their house, which are imperative to conduct online examination; 

Further he said, 

"The suggested model of conduction of compulsory examination takes the students backwards rather than forward. It effectively brings in second phase of postponement of examination, which creates a cloud of uncertainty for the states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Punjab and West Bengal, which already decided to cancel examination." 

He has therefore urged the Top Court to take steps for formulation of "alternative system of evaluation", so as to do complete, equal and fair justice to the students and to exclude possibility of discrimination, disadvantage and risk of life. 

The letter has been supported by 34 other signatory students from the State. 

Earlier, a law student from the Delhi University had addressed a letter to the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Justice DN Patel, highlighting the plight of students in view of the said Government order. "Academic evaluation and examination system shall not outweigh the lives of students," the letter urged. 

பொறியியல் கல்லூரி மாணவர்களுக்கு முக்கிய அறிவிப்பு! AICTE அதிரடி!

பொறியியல் கல்லூரி மாணவர்களுக்கு முக்கிய அறிவிப்பு! AICTE அதிரடி! 

By Sabarish Updated: Friday, July 10, 2020, 14:31 [IST] 

கொரோனா ஊரடங்கின் காரணமாக அனைத்துக் கல்வி நிறுவனங்களும் கடந்த மார்ச் மாதம் முதல் மூடப்பட்டுள்ளன. தொடர்ந்து, கல்வி நிறுவனங்களை திறக்கமுடியாத சூழல் நிலவி வரும் நிலையில் பள்ளி தேர்வுகள் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டும், கல்லூரி தேர்வுகள் ஒத்திவைக்கப்பட்டும் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. 

இந்நிலையில், பொறியியல் கல்லூரிகளுக்கான எவ்வித அறிவிப்பும் வெளிவராத நிலையில், தற்போது ஆகஸ்ட் 16ம் தேதி முதல் பொறியியல் கல்லூரிகளை திறக்கலாம் என அகில இந்திய தொழில்நுட்ப கல்வி கவுன்சிலின் (AICTE) அறிவுறுத்தியுள்ளது. AICTE கூட்டத்தில் முடிவு அகில இந்திய தொழில்நுட்ப கல்வி கவுன்சிலின் (AICTE) 62-வது கூட்டம் சமீபத்தில் நடைபெற்றது. அந்த கூட்டத்தில் பல முக்கிய முடிவுகள் எடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. அதில், தொழில்நுட்ப கல்வி நிறுவனங்கள் எப்போது வகுப்புகளை தொடங்கலாம் என ஏற்கனவே தகவல் வெளியிடப்பட்ட நிலையில், தற்போது அந்தத் திட்டத்திற்கு மாற்றாக புதிய அறிவிப்பை ஏஐசிடிஇ வெளியிட்டுள்ளது 

புதிய அறிவிப்பு வருமாறு: ஏஐசிடிஇ-யின் புதிய அறிவிப்பில் நாடு முழுவதும் உள்ள பல்கலைக் கழகங்கள் தொழில்நுட்ப கல்வி நிறுவனங்களுக்காக அங்கீகாரத்தை ஜூலை 15-ந்தேதிக்குள் வழங்கவேண்டும் என குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளது. 

ஆகஸ்ட் 30-க்குள் முடிக்க வேண்டும் 

பொறியியல் படிப்புக்கான முதற்கட்ட கலந்தாய்வு, மாணவர் சேர்க்கை மற்றும் இட ஒதுக்கீடு உள்ளிட்டவற்றை ஆகஸ்ட் 30-தேதிக்குள் முடிக்க வேண்டும். தொடர்ந்து 2-ம் கட்ட கலந்தாய்வு, மாணவர் சேர்க்கை மற்றும் இட ஒதுக்கீடு உள்ளிட்டவற்றை செப்டம்பர் 10-ந்தேதிக்குள் முடிக்க வேண்டும். கல்வி நிறுவனங்களில் காலியாக இருக்கும் இடங்களில் மாணவர் சேர்க்கையைச் செப்டம்பர் 15-ந்தேதிக்குள் முடித்துவிட வேண்டும் என அறிவுறுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது. 

ஆகஸ்ட் 16 வகுப்புகள் தொடக்கம் மேலும், ஏற்கனவே பொறியியல் படிப்புகளில் பயின்று வரும் மாணவர்களுக்கான வகுப்புகளை ஆகஸ்ட் 16-ம் தேதி தொடங்கலாம் (பழைய அட்டவணையில் ஆகஸ்டு 1-ந்தேதி என்று குறிப்பிடப்பட்டிருந்தது). புதிதாக பொறியியல் படிப்புகளில் சேரும் மாணவர்களுக்குச் செப்டம்பர் 15-ந்தேதி முதல் வகுப்புகளை தொடங்கலாம். கல்வியாண்டு மாற்றம் தொழில்நுட்ப கல்வி நிறுவனங்களில் முதுகலை டிப்ளமோ, முதுகலை சான்றிதழ் உள்ளிட்ட படிப்புகளுக்கான வகுப்புகளை ஜூலை 15-ம் தேதி முதல் தொடங்கலாம். இந்த படிப்புகளுக்கான மாணவர் சேர்க்கை ஆகஸ்ட் 10-ம் தேதிக்குள் முடிக்கவும் உத்தரவிடப்பட்டுள்ளது. மேலும், நடப்பு கல்வியாண்டு என்பது ஆகஸ்டு 1-ந்தேதி முதல் 2021-ம் ஆண்டு ஜூலை 31-ந்தேதி வரை என மாற்றப்பட்டுள்ளதாகத் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. 

தமிழக அரசின் நிலைப்பாடு என்ன? அகில இந்திய தொழில்நுட்ப கல்வி கவுன்சில் (AICTE) தொழில்நுட்ப படிப்புகளுக்கான புதிய அட்டவணையை வெளியிட்டுள்ள நிலையில், இதில், தமிழக அரசின் நிலைப்பாடு என்ன? என்பதே கேள்விக்குறியாக உள்ளது. தமிழகத்தில் தொடர்ந்து கொரோனாவின் தாக்கம் அதிகரித்து வரும் நிலையில், ஏஐசிடிஇ வெளியிட்டுள்ள இந்த அறிவிப்புகள் பின்பற்றப்படுமா என மாணவர்கள் எதிர்பார்த்துள்ளனர்.

Read more at: https://tamil.careerindia.com/news/aicte-revised-academic-calendar-and-engineering-colleges-to-begin-classes-on-august-16/articlecontent-pf5874-006193.html?utm_medium=Desktop&utm_source=OI-TA&utm_campaign=Homeclicks-News

'Sheer Violation Of Students' Fundamental Rights': MP Law Students Writes To CJI Against MHA Order Permitting Conduct Of University Exams [Read Letter]

'Sheer Violation Of Students' Fundamental Rights': MP Law Students Writes To CJI Against MHA Order Permitting Conduct Of University Exams [Read Letter]: A letter petition has been sent to the CJI, stating that the Government order directing Universities to compulsorily conduct examination of final year students is in 'sheer violation' of the...

மாயமானவர் இறந்ததாக யூகித்து மனைவிக்கு பணப்பலன் வழங்க உத்தரவு

மாயமானவர் இறந்ததாக யூகித்து மனைவிக்கு பணப்பலன் வழங்க உத்தரவு

Added : ஜூலை 11, 2020 23:36

மதுரை; மாயமான சுகாதார ஆய்வாளர் இறந்து விட்டதாக யூகித்து, அவரது மனைவிக்கு, சட்டப்பூர்வ பணப் பலன்கள் வழங்க, உயர் நீதிமன்ற மதுரைக் கிளை உத்தரவிட்டது.

மதுரை மாவட்டம், டி.புதுப்பட்டி ஆரம்ப சுகாதார நிலையத்தில், சுகாதார ஆய்வாளராக பணிபுரிந்தவர் நடராஜன். இவர், 2003 மே 2ல் மாயமானார். ௧௦ ஆண்டுகளாகியும், அவரை பற்றி தகவல் இல்லாததால், ௨௦௧௩ல், அவரை பணி நீக்கம் செய்து, பொது சுகாதாரத் துறை இயக்குனர் உத்தரவிட்டார்.அவரது மனைவி பொன்னி, 'என் கணவர் மாயமாகி விட்டதால், சட்டப்பூர்வ பணப் பலன்கள் மற்றும் குடும்ப ஓய்வூதியத்தை எனக்கு வழங்க உத்தரவிட வேண்டும்' என, உயர் நீதிமன்றக் கிளையில், மனு தாக்கல் செய்தார்.

தனி நீதிபதி, 'மனுதாரரின் கணவர், 1982 முதல் 2003 வரை பணிபுரிந்துள்ளார். அவர் இறந்து விட்டதாக யூகித்து, அவருக்குரிய சட்டப்பூர்வ பணப் பலன்களை, மனைவிக்கு வழங்க வேண்டும்' என, 2018ல் உத்தரவிட்டார்.இதை எதிர்த்து, பொது சுகாதாரத்துறை செயலர், இயக்குனர் மேல்முறையீடு செய்தனர். இதை விசாரித்த, நீதிபதிகள் பி.என்.பிரகாஷ், பி.புகழேந்தி அமர்வு உத்தரவு:நடராஜனை பணி நீக்கம் செய்து, 'எக்ஸ் பார்ட்டி'யாக பிறப்பித்த உத்தரவை ரத்து செய்வதாக, 2020 மார்ச் 13ல், பொது சுகாதார இயக்குனர் குழந்தைசாமி உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளார்.

இதன் மூலம், பொன்னி பணப்பலன்கள், குடும்ப ஓய்வூதியம் பெறுவதற்கான தடை விலகியுள்ளது.நடராஜனை இறந்தவராக கருத முடியாது. ஆனால், இந்திய சாட்சியச் சட்டப் பிரிவின்படி, ஏழு ஆண்டுகளுக்கு மேல் மாயமான ஒருவரை, யூகத்தின் அடிப்படையில், இறந்தவராக கருதலாம்.இவ்வழக்கில், நடராஜன், 2003ல் மாயமாகி விட்டார். அவரை கண்டுபிடிக்க முடியவில்லை என்ற போலீசாரின் சான்று பெற்று, பொது சுகாதார இயக்குனரிடம், உத்தரவாத பத்திரத்தை, பொன்னி தாக்கல் செய்ய வேண்டும்.

அதனடிப்படையில், அவருக்கு சட்டப்பூர்வ பலன்களை வழங்க வேண்டும். ஒருவேளை, நடராஜன் உயிருடன் வரும் பட்சத்தில், பொன்னியிடம் உள்ள சொத்துகளை மீட்க, சட்டப்பூர்வ நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கலாம். அரசின் மேல்முறையீட்டு மனுவை தள்ளுபடி செய்கிறோம்.இவ்வாறு, நீதிபதிகள் உத்தரவிட்டனர்.

AKU defers MBBS exams, medicos want to be promoted

AKU defers MBBS exams, medicos want to be promoted 

In a notification issued Monday, the AKU deferred these examinations “till further orders”. The exams were earlier scheduled to commence from July 28. 

EDUCATION Updated: Jul 02, 2020 16:34 IST 

Ruchir Kumar

Hindustan Times, Patna 

Aryabhatt Knowledge University at Mithapur in Patna Hindustan Times 

The Aryabhatta Knowledge University (AKU) will defer the second professional 2019 and the third professional part-I 2019 (II) examinations in Bihar in view of coronavirus (Covid-19). 

In a notification issued Monday, the AKU deferred these examinations “till further orders”. The exams were earlier scheduled to commence from July 28. 

“The decision to defer the MBBS exams was taken by chairman of the examination board, who is also AKU vice-chancellor, after discussion with other members, including external members from the department of science and technology, government of Bihar,” said AKU examination controller Rajeev Ranjan. 

New dates for conducting these examinations would now be issued after receiving suggestions by the state or central government or necessary directives by the regulator, the Medical Council of India, Ranjan added. 

“The decision to defer the examinations was taken based on suggestion by medicos, many of whom were stranded outside the state. The medicos had expressed apprehensions of contracting Covid-19 if they were to travel back to appear for the exams,” added Ranjan. 

The Hindustan Times had on June 28 carried a news report titled “Medicos irked as AKU announces exam dates amid rising Covid cases”. 

Medicos of intermediate semesters, however, are not satisfied by the AKU decision. They want the university to promote them to the next semester based on marks obtained in previous semesters and are bracing up to seek legal remedy. 

Barring MBBS and dental, the AKU has already postponed examinations and decided to promote to the next semester all students of B.Tech, B.Pharma, BBA, B.Com and BMC among other courses. 

“As per the AKU itinerary, our MBBS second professional exams were scheduled in January, this year. However, they got delayed till July because of Covid-19. If the university defers the exams further, we will continue in the MBBS second year for more than two years, whereas the curriculum is of one-and-a-half year only,” said Kritika Singh, a second year MBBS student of the Nalanda Medical College Hospital (NMCH), stuck in Delhi at present. 

“Deferring the exams further will not only hold us back in the same class, but also leave us with little time to attend classes and prepare for third professional exams. As such, we are demanding that the students be promoted internally,” she said. 

“Besides, those whose previous grades are not good and they want to improve should be allowed to do so when the pandemic eases,” said Kritika, who has taken it upon herself to fight on behalf of the medicos. 

Ranjan, however, said any decision to promote the medicos without conducting exams would have to be taken by the MCI.

Gujarat University's final year MBBS exams likely from August 6

Gujarat University's final year MBBS exams likely from August 6

TNN | Jul 11, 2020, 12.48 PM IST

AHMEDABAD: The theory exams for final year MBBS students in Gujarat University affiliated colleges are likely to be held from August 6 to 13. This was decided at the meeting of deans of various GU affiliated colleges that met on Friday at the NHL Municipal Medical College.

These dates are tentative and a final decision on it is expected to be taken after some directive from the state government, said sources.

The practical exams for final year 1 & 2 and second year MBBS students is likely to be held from August 15, sources added.

In the case of PG Medical courses, the exams are likely to be conducted after August 17.

While the dates for the terminal year exams for undergraduate students have been fixed tentatively, there is no clarity for intermediate year students for medical, dental and paramedical courses.

Many students are of the view that medical and dental courses are regulated by Medical Council of India (MCI) and Dental Council of India (DCI) and hence the recent guidelines of University Grants Commission do not apply to them. So, they are waiting for directives from the state education department, said sources. As per the UGC guidelines undergraduate students who are not in their final semester or terminal year are to be graded based on their internal marks and previous annual exam scores.

Gujarat University had already begun conducting exams for some final year paramedical courses which has been temporarily deferred. The varsity is yet to fix a new date for them, said sources.

WB-UGC clash: Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Modi, urges him to stop university exams

WB-UGC clash: Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Modi, urges him to stop university exams 

DNA 

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in her letter to the Prime Minister, asked him to reconsider immediately the "revised guidelines" 

12.07.2020 

In what adds a new dimension to the clash between the West Bengal government and the University Grants Commission (UGC), the state's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking the latter to re-examine the matter involving UGC issuing fresh guidelines to the universities and colleges across the country for compulsorily conducting the final year examinations. 

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in her letter to the Prime Minister, asked him to reconsider immediately the "revised guidelines", issued by the UGC and the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), and restore the earlier advisory of the UGC. 

Banerjee informed the Prime Minister that the earlier UGC guidelines that were issued on April 29 had clearly stated that the guidelines are advisory and suggestive in nature. However, the new "revised" guidelines issued on July 6 had asked all universities and colleges in the country to "compulsorily complete" the end-of-term examinations. 

Banerjee mentioned that the West Bengal government had, "after extensive consultation with all Vice-Chancellors and stakeholders", issued an advisory on June 27 to all state-aided universities and colleges of the state. "Our advisory, issued in the interest of health, safety, and future of students, provides due weightage to the internal assessment and the performance of the candidate in the previous semesters in order to ensure transparency. Besides, our advisory has a provision for holding special exams after the situation gets normalised, for such students, who wish to appear in a formal examination instead of an alternative evaluation method." 

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged the Prime Minister to reconsider the matter, especially since colleges and universities in West Bengal have already taken steps as per the advisory issued by the Higher Education Department. 

"The students, their parents, and other stakeholders have overwhelmingly appreciated our advisory issued on 27th June. In fact, I am now receiving hundreds of e-mails, from the students and the teaching community raising their concern o holding examinations, as per the revised guidelines issued by UGC, compelling me to take up this matter with your good office," Banerjee wrote in her letter to Prime Minister Modi. 

Earlier this day, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cancel the final year examinations of Delhi University and other central government universities in view of the COVID-19 situation in the country. 

"For the sake of our youth, I urge Hon’ble PM to personally intervene and cancel final year exams of DU and other central govt universities and save the future," Kejriwal tweeted. 

Kejriwal had also sent a letter to PM Modi requesting him to cancel all examinations for universities and colleges falling under the Centre. 

"I request the central government and the University Grants Commission to change their guidelines in the larger interest of the students and cancel their final-semester examinations," Kejriwal stated in the letter.

No exam for lower sem engg students: KTU

No exam for lower sem engg students: KTU

BS.Anilkumar@timesgroup.com

Thiruvananthapuram:  12.07.2020

APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University has decided to do away with all junior semester examinations for engineering course for the time being as Kerala is facing a serious health emergency owing to the outbreak of Covid-19. The academic council of the varsity, which met virtually on Saturday, could not reach a consensus on whether KTU should show such leniency towards final semester students.

According to sources, the council has reached a consensus that the varsity may do away with lower semester examinations, considering the unprecedented health emergency in state. It was decided that the marks of the students in lower semesters be decided based on their semester point grade average (SPGA) in other semesters. Emulating the model adopted by CBSE, the council come to an agreement that in case students feel he/she was eligible for more marks, such candidates can take exams when the varsity starts functioning normally and conducts examinations as usual.

However, the major concern that of final semester students could not be effectively addressed by the council as its members were divided over the proposal of university offering a similar or institution-level online examination for outgoing students.

Though there were suggestions that the final semester students – considering the peculiar circumstances they are poised to face as job seekers during the pandemic – be also given the option to either attend college-level online exams or their scores be calculated as in the case of lower semester students, a section in the academic council opposed the same.

They said there could be no alternative to the conventional mode of exam for the final semester students, at least. Following the standstill, the matter was referred to the university syndicate for further perusal and final decision.

The academic council of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University could not reach a consensus on whether to show such leniency towards final semester students

M K Jayaraj is new Calicut Univ VC

M K Jayaraj is new Calicut Univ VC

Thiruvananthapuram:

12.07.2020

Putting an end to speculations and political manoeuvering, state governor Arif Mohammed Khan in his capacity as the chancellor, has appointed Prof M K Jayaraj as the new vicechancellor of Calicut University on Saturday.

The chancellor shed his procrastination nearly twoand-half months after the selection panel had submitted him two lists of candidates to the post, which had been remaining vacant for almost a year now. While the state government nominees in the search panel had professor K M Seethi of M G University as the main contender for the post, the UGC nominee in the panel had put his weight behind CTCRI principal scientist Prof C A Jayaparas, who incidentally was the only SC candidate in the list of eligible ones for the coveted post.

M K Jayaraj had never been the top candidate to both the state government and the Centre. However, he was one of the candidates the state government favoured in case the most preferred one lost.

Jayaraj is currently a professor in Physics, Cochin University of Science and Technology. He has been appointed to the post for a period of four years from the date on which he assumes the office. TNN