UGC issues fresh guidelines for re-opening of universities & colleges in phased manner

Nov. 5: After a nearly seven-month lockdown in institutions for higher education across the country due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, University Grants Commission (UGC) on Thursday released new guidelines to reopen universities and colleges that are outside containment zones in a phased manner. The new guidelines specified that the number of students attending classes on campus, at a given time, should not be more than half the total student strength. These guidelines have also been approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Home Affairs.”

UGC stated, “Six-day week schedule may be followed so that classes can be conducted in phases and the seating arrangement be made keeping in view the requirements of physical distancing. Universities and colleges may consider reducing the class size and break them in multiple sections to maintain physical distancing during the classes.” In addition to this, all the institutions must be ready to handle the inflow of students, faculty and staff in the campus. Campuses must comply with monitoring disinfecting measures, safety and health conditions, screening and detecting the infected persons, containment measures to prevent the spread of the virus in the campus.

Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal in a tweet on Thursday wrote, “It is a request to all educational institutions, students, parents, and all those associated with the education world to ensure compliance of these guidelines for the survival and bright future of themselves and others.”

गृह मंत्रालय द्वारा COVID-19 महामारी के कारण लगे लॉकडाउन को धीरे-धीरे खोलने की प्रक्रिया के अनुरूप विश्वविद्यालयों और कॉलेजों को फिर से खोलने के लिए यूजीसी विस्तृत दिशानिर्देश जारी कर रहा है। @ugc_india @PIB_India @EduMinOfIndia @DDNewsHindi @HMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIA pic.twitter.com/CBtqPw5GK0

— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) November 5, 2020

Wearing a mask is mandatory for all teachers and staff on campus. Attendance for students will be voluntary. Universities have been asked to continue online classes for students who wish to study remotely. Residential campuses will be allowed to operate hostels “where it is necessary”, but sharing of rooms has been forbidden. “Symptomatic students should not be permitted to stay in the hostels under any circumstances,” the guidelines state.

Educational institutions across the country can be opened in a systematic manner after consultation with the state, Union Territory governments. It will be mandatory to adhere to UGC guidelines for re-opening educational institutions. The head of central-funded higher education institutions will have to be satisfied before the reopening. All heads of institutions have been given the freedom to take decisions on re-opening of classes.

UGC allows students of all research programmes and post-graduate students in science and technology programmes to join the institution as the number of students studying at PG level is less. However, it is to be ensured that the norms of physical distancing and preventive measures are followed. Final year students may also be allowed to join for academic and placement purposes, as per the decision of the head of the institution.

Click here for detailed guidelines issued by UGC