‘Reopening of universities and institutes only after considering student interests’ says UGC Chairman

NEW DELHI: The UGC chairman, D.P.Singh in a recent interaction spoke to Careers360 about the reopening of colleges, guidelines that will be issued for these and the intention of UGC to always keep the larger interests of students before everything else.

Singh said that while the plan for reopening was scheduled as August or September, it now will be announced only after considering the situation from all angles to ensure that students don't suffer on any front. He added that, “We at UGC are coming up with guidelines in consultation with the protocols issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Home Affairs as well as MHRD. Also factors like diversity and most important health and safety of not just the students but faculty, staff are being considered while framing these guidelines.”

The guidelines will include use of Arogya Setu, norms of social distancing, encouragement of online classes for students who wished to opt for the same in addition to other regulations to be followed.

Speaking on the issue of combining two semesters as requested by many students, Singh said,” The larger interests of the students with regard to educational aspirations, career path, upward mobility etc. will be taken care of after consultations with all stakeholders. This decision will only be dependent on the how the situation develops in the nearby future.”

On the topic of reduced syllabus, he said,” Universities are autonomous. So, this decision is in their hands. UGC has the role to issue common guidelines to bring about uniformity and again the interests of the students will be considered before any decision is made.”

When asked on the steps taken to ensure student grievances are noted and taken care of, he stated, “We have a task force with a dedicated helpline and email ID for students and others to reach out to us. I have personally talked to the Vice-Chancellors of the universities to set up a helpline and email for students to reach out. What we receive on our helplines, we ensure that the message is passed on to the respective universities.”

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