DU suspends online classes till May 16, no word on online exams

NEW DELHI: Due to the sudden rise in COVID-19 cases, Delhi University has suspended online classes till May 16 in all departments and colleges.

Since a lot of DU students and teachers tested positive for coronavirus, the Delhi University Teachers' Association, or DUTA had earlier requested the acting Vice-Chancellor PC Joshi to suspend classes and cancel all examinations.

The association, in a letter to VC, argued that the students are unable to cope with the spread of COVID-19 and the effect it is having on every individual life.

The decision has come a day after the education ministry directed all centrally-funded institutions, including central universities, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs) as well as others to postpone all offline exams scheduled in May. The education ministry has however allowed online examination.

DU has scheduled online exams for final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students between May and June.

Pooling resources to fight COVID-19

Joshi, in a letter to all principals of DU-affiliated colleges, has also sought information on medical professionals -- including relatives of staff -- who can help during emergencies.

“It is an appeal to all of you to look for the medical professionals who are the part of the families of our DU fraternity or in relation with them. By contributing just an hour towards the cause may impact [lives] and reduce suffering,” the letter said. A Google form has been circulated to keep a stock of contact numbers of paramedical staff.

The university has also issued a memoriam for all the students and members of teaching and non-teaching staff who lost their lives in the second wave of coronavirus. “Many dear colleagues of the fraternity of the University of Delhi have succumbed to the devastating COVID-19 as it wreaked havoc over the past few weeks: teachers, officers, administrators, staff members, security guards among them. Our thoughts are with their families and friends and we offer them our sincere condolences, ” the memoriam said.

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