Cancel exams, mark us on internal evaluation: AMU students to VC

NEW DELHI: Students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) have sent an open letter to the Vice-Chancellor, Tariq Mansoor, demanding cancellation of the end-semester examination and marking on the basis of internal evaluations and assignments. AMU is scheduled to hold the end semester examination from May 17.

Uttar Pradesh is among the worst affected states with the second wave of coronavirus, with over 13 lakh reported cases till May 2 and over 13,000 dead due to COVID-19 infection or lack of treatment. Students from various universities have been appealing to the administration to postpone exams and classes.

As per the open letter, in the past ten days or so, AMU has faced numerous losses due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Around two dozen serving and retired faculty members have lost their fight against COVID-19. We are sure that you are aware that numerous other faculty members and students, and their family members are suffering from the disease,” the letter reads.

Students, families have COVID-19

In their letter to Mansoor, students have pointed out that many among them are suffering from the disease themselves, and there are instances where the student is the lone attendant of multiple family members admitted in the hospital. Some of the students have also lost their dear ones to the pandemic and are in a condition of shock and grief. Incidentally, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi conducted a survey among students to take stock of their situation and announced a host of changes to the evaluation policy in response.

“In midst of this unprecedented crisis, the students of the university are being made to submit numerous Assignments, and appear in Tests and Viva. This is exacerbating the physical and mental burden on the students, negatively affecting their physical and mental health. Additionally, the End-Semester Examinations are scheduled from May 20, 2021, for most courses, and from 17 May for some faculties and departments," the letter says.

The students have demanded a decrease in the number of assignments, tests, etc. as well as extend the deadline for assignments and tests that have already been announced.

The letter to VC demands: “Cancel the end-semester examination and award the marks allotted to it on the basis of internal evaluations and assignments already taken. In case fulfilling these requests are beyond your jurisdiction, we request you to coordinate with the relevant bodies like the UGC and central government to fulfil these requests, as that is not only your administrative duty but also your moral responsibility.”

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