Coronavirus: More college campuses shut down till March 31

NEW DELHI: As a preventive measure against the spread of novel Coronavirus, several universities shut down their campuses on Friday.

In Delhi-NCR, Jamia Millia Islamia University, the private Shiv Nadar University, School of Open Learning in University of Delhi have closed campuses, called off classes or postponed contact programmes till March 31, 2020.

Outside, Banaras Hindu University, or BHU, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Aligarh Muslim University, UP, and Visva Bharati University in Shantiniketan, West Bengal have suspended classes.

Meanwhile, Air India will send a "special flight" on Saturday to Milan in Italy to bring back 220 stranded Indians students, Livemint reported.

The pandemic

The statement released by JMI assured that the board examination will be conducted as per schedule.

Banaras Hindu University campus has been shut down till March 22 to combat the pandemic. The statement released by the university further said the scheduled examinations will not be affected by this decision.

#कोरोनावायरस: काशी हिन्दू विश्वविद्यालय में 22 मार्च 2020 तक विश्वविद्यालय/संबद्ध महाविद्यालय/स्कूलों की कक्षाएं स्थगित रहेंगी। पूर्व निर्धारित परीक्षाएं यथावत चलेंगी, नई परीक्षाओं का तिथि निर्धारण अगले आदेश तक स्थगित। #COVID19@UNinIndia @HRDMinistry @drharshvardhan pic.twitter.com/sJiqcIXwvi

— BHU (@VCofficeBHU) March 13, 2020

The official notice of Visva Bharati University said, “No function/programme of the University including seminar, workshop, conference, etc. Shall be organised till March 31, 2020." The entire ashrama complex and the hostels of the university have been completely sealed as well.

Jawaharlal Nehru University also cancelled classes on Friday. Public gatherings in the form of seminars, conferences, workshops have also been suspended till March 31.

‘Going online’

Sensing the urgency, Shiv Nadar University has shifted to online mode classes. Students who are not on campus are to avoid coming to classes until March 31, and beyond if necessary.

The official statement from the university read that the university “... will put in their best effort to ensure the learning outcomes are not compromised,”

In JMI, students who need assistance will be able to get the study material online. Teachers have been directed to inform the students via email about the study material available online.

On Thursday, University of Delhi also announced shifting to online mode. All colleges have been shut down to “prevent the pandemic conditions” arising due to COVID-19 threat.

Although many universities in the US have transitioned to online classrooms, DU was the first one in India to attempt this measure.

As on Saturday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has reported 83 positive cases of coronavirus and on Friday night, India recorded its second death.

UPDATE: This copy has been updated to include information on Air India flight to Milan and the announcement from AMU.

Also read:
Coronavirus: IIM Bangalore convocation 2020 postponed
Coronavirus: More states shut down schools to battle pandemic

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