Kolkata: The state universities will wait for the recommendation of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the guidelines from the state Higher Education department before taking a call on the semester pattern.
However, the universities will conduct the final semester examination soon after the lockdown is lifted. The final semester examination in the universities is usually conducted during April- May. But all educational institutions in the state have been closed since March 16 and will remain so till June 10 as a preventive measure to combat the spread of COVID-19 virus. The universities across the state follow the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) in which students have to undergo semester examinations. However, with the lockdown already extended over a month and set to continue till June 10, regular classes could not be conducted and syllabus has remained uncovered so the semester system naturally needs a revamp. The universities are holding virtual classes but it cannot cover all the students due to various factors.
"We are yet to decide on the scheduling of the semester system. The UGC recommendations are expected to come up on April 24 and the Higher Education department will also come up with the guidelines. We will act accordingly. We are now laying great emphasis on online classes so that the academic activities are not hampered during the lockdown," said Sonali Chakravarti Banerjee, V-C of Calcutta University.
Jadavpur University is also waiting for recommendations of UGC and All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) before deciding on the adjustment of semesters.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (Makaut) has decided to conduct the final semester examination through online mode. "The placements are linked with the final semester so we need to mop up the total process of the final semester as quick as possible," said Partha Pratim Lahiri, Registrar of Makaut. For the other semesters, the university will wait for UGC and AICTE recommendations.
"We will conduct the final semester examination after the lockdown is lifted. However, we need to sit with the other universities and take a call on the other semesters so that there is uniformity. We are also waiting for the recommendation of the UGC committee about this semester," said Basab Chaudhuri, Vice-Chancellor of West Bengal State University.
The Presidency University is also not in a hurry to decide on semesters. "We are keeping a close watch on the development in the academic front. The state government will surely decide the issue considering the welfare of the students. We will act accordingly," said Debojyoti Konar, Registrar of Presidency University.
The state government has requested UGC to consult it before finalising how universities and colleges can hold the deferred undergraduate and postgraduate exams after the lockdown.