EXAMINATION AND ACADEMICS IN CURRENT COVID-19 CRISIS

DATE: 09/05/2020 TIME: 11:00 AM

BY ABHAY JERE SPEAKER- Prof. DP SINGH

Dhirendra Pal Singh, known as D. P. Singh, is an Indian naturalist and academic

administrator. He has served as vice-chancellor of three different universities, namely Dr. Hari Singh
Gour University, Banaras Hindu University and Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya. He is the former director
of National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and the chairman of the University Grants
Commission (UGC).

The talk was about how to conduct examinations and how to carry forward with academics
in present scenario as per UGC guidelines. A committee was constituted with responsibility for
coming up with guidelines for the concerns of students regarding to examinations or other
laboratory requirements for universities. The first question was regarding open book exams and are
the academicians really ready for setting that kind of question paper which are tricky and different?
The committee has recommended several options considering the diversities of the country and
open book is an option out of those, says Prof DP SINGH. The guidelines are flexible and depends on
various colleges and where ever required few changes can be done. The examination of terminal
semester can be started from july 1 st and accordingly. The second question was whether post covid
online mode shall be adopted or blended? As, the social distancing norms have to be followed
therefore e learning, online examinations are a possible solution now. UGC has been providing
various channels from which students and faculty can gain knowledge where there is no proper
internet connection and transferring knowledge, says Prof DP SINGH. Next topic was about providing
20% credits can be given to swayam courses and UGC is thinking to increase it to 40%. In current
situation, a request has done to HEI’s that students can appear exams to improve grades by taking
examinations again. The problem is all about postgraduates as they have to go to laboratories or
field to complete their work and for which the guidelines suggest few measures to go to lab and can
conduct experiments as few are time bounded and the submission deadline has been extended by
six months. Viva voce can be taken by online video platforms. The guidelines given by UGC are
although framed for current session but HEI’s beside campus learning should adopt ICT tools for
education and thinking of blended learning in long term. UGC has also suggested to train the faculty
to cope up with the technology. The guidelines suggested are student friendly and institutes can
adopt easily. Also, the speaker has ended up the talk by requesting institutes to provide support to
students in every aspect and consider the safety of each and everyone.