Coronavirus: IIM Bangalore convocation 2020 postponed

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, has postponed its convocation, scheduled for March 20, due to coronavirus. Four cases of novel coronavirus infections have been reported from Bengaluru so far.

In a statement issued on March 10, 2020, the director, G. Raghuram said: “We have consulted all the stakeholder groups. This decision has been taken based on their inputs and subsequent deliberations, keeping in mind that your and your family’s safety is paramount. IIMB would also like to assure you that while we are geared to contain the spread of the virus on campus (thanks to our Administrative Staff), we have taken this decision to avoid putting you and your family at risk, both due to travel and the large gathering. We will continuously monitor the situation and when we feel that the situation enables us, the new date for the Convocation will be decided. The respective Programme Offices will get in touch with students regarding the receipt of the degrees.”

Other universities

The statement, published on IIM Bangalore’s website, also adds that the institute also followed advisories issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the World Health Organisation on COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. These advisories, as well as one issued by the Ministry of Human Resource Development discourage “large gatherings”.

Earlier, Aligarh Muslim University announced it would postpone examinations for around 6,000 students enrolled in its distance learning degree programmes and Calcutta University has forbidden teachers and student from travelling to countries or areas where coronavirus infections have been concerned.

Meanwhile, over half a dozen universities in the US have chosen to stop conventional classes and lectures altogether and have gone online. Across India, over 50 cases of confirmed coronavirus infections have been reported so far, according to the Economic Times, but no deaths.

Also read:

• Coronavirus: Universities in the US shift to online classrooms
• Coronavirus: Advisories for schools from states, Centre

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