Universities and Colleges across the country have begun reopening their gates for offline classes after being shut since March 2020 due to an ongoing coronavirus pandemic. To assure the safety of students, the UGC (University Grants Commission) has released the post-covid-19 guidelines. As per the guidelines issued by UGC, the college and university campuses will reopen with 50% capacity and all the outside college activities will be prohibited. Apart from social distancing SOP’s and norms, Universities are expected to ensure that faculty members and students wear masks throughout the college hours, and ensure the campus is sanitized every day.
University of Delhi colleges have already reopened its gates for final year UG and PG students. The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has however permitted the entry of fourth-year MSc, Ph.D., and MCA students in its fifth and sixth phase of University reopening. Whereas the Banaras Hindu University has decided to reopen the University for its final year students from 22nd February 2021.
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WHAT DOES UGC HAVE TO SAY ABOUT REOPENING COLLEGES?
UGC Guidelines Permits Reopening of Colleges in Low Strengths
The UGC guidelines for Universities and Colleges imply less strength in physical form in view of COVID-19 guidelines. The UGC guideline has asked the colleges to ensure that before reopening of Universities or Colleges, the state or central government must have announced the area safe for reopening.
The instructions, guidelines, directions, and orders issued by the state and central government concerned regarding the health and safety of teachers and students in view of coronavirus must be completely abided by the higher education institutes.
DELHI UNIVERSITY: NDTF MEETS UGC CHAIRMAN ON AD-HOC TEACHERS’ PROBLEMS
UGC in its guidelines also asked Universities and Colleges to mandate regular college visits of a counselor to assure good being of mental health and stress-free campuses. The commission further asked the institutes to setup help liens for physiological concerns, mental health, and the well-being of the students. UGC guidelines added that institutes must try to restrict the visits of outside experts on campuses, fieldwork, and study tours. Furthermore, staff, faculty, and students should be encouraged to download Aarogya Setu Application.
