When will colleges, universities reopen in India?

The UGC has issued new guidelines to reopen universities and colleges after nearly 7 months of lockdown in higher educational institutions across the country. However, no institution should have a presence of more than 50 percent of the total students.

Online classes will continue for all programs except Science Technology and Research. According to the new UGC guidelines, if students wish, they can study online by staying at home rather than attending classes. 

A limited number of hostels can be opened. No more than one student can be allowed to stay in hostel rooms.

Before reopening any educational campus, it should be ensured whether the concerned central or state government has declared that area safe for opening educational institutions.

Union Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said, “The Ministry of Education is coping with these challenges. The UGC has prepared new guidelines to reopen its premises keeping in mind the better resolution and all the options. These guidelines have also been approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Home Affairs. "

Compulsory to follow UGC guidelines

In view of the proliferation of coronaviruses, the state and union governments have also been consulted to open universities and colleges outside the Containment Zone. 

Educational institutions can be opened across the country in a systematic manner after consultation with the governments of the state, union territory. It will be mandatory to follow the UGC guidelines to open educational institutions.

Important decisions

1 - In order to open centrally funded higher education institutions, the institution head will have to be satisfied himself. All institution heads have been given permission to take decisions to open classes.

2 - Classes will be conducted in all higher educational institutions as per the decision of the state and union territories. For all other higher educational institutions like state universities, private universities, even universities and colleges, state governments and union territories will have the right to decide.

3 - Social distancing and masking will be mandatory. Universities and colleges can plan to open the campus in a phased manner using different types of protective measures. Administrative offices, research laboratories and libraries etc. can also be included in this.

4 - Necessary steps have been taken for research. Postgraduate students can be involved in science-technology and research, as the number of research people is comparatively less. Social distancing and preventive measures can be easily implemented in these institutions.

5 - Education is directly related to employment, in this case, final year students can also be allowed to join for academic work and placements as per the decision of the Head of the Institute.

6 - Institutions should have a plan for international students, who could not attend the course due to international travel restrictions or visa problems.

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