In a major decision, the University of Jammu has announced that it would be holding the final semester examinations of undergraduate degree courses like BA/BSc/BCom from September 15.
As per the notification issued by the varsity, the examinations will be conducted offline i.e. through the conventional mode.
“It is notified for the information of all the end/terminal semester students of Under Graduate courses (Non-professional) that their theory examinations shall commence from 15th September 2020. The exams are being conducted as per the directions of the UGC and the Supreme Court of India.”
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Exams to be held in conventional mode:
“The University of Jammu, while taking the opinion of the nodal principals of all the colleges (which falls under the jurisdiction of the Jammu University), it has been decided that the end semester examinations shall be conducted through the conventional mode (pen and paper) with the following relaxation: that, as onetime exception due to the prevailing situation, the students shall have to attempt only 40 per cent of the total number of questions asked from the entire paper irrespective of the Units/Sections as may appear in their question paper”, the Jammu University notification said.
The Jammu University’s decision to hold the examinations comes after last week’s Supreme Court’s judgement which said that the final year examination for college/university students be held as per the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) guidelines by September 30.
Final semester examinations of under-graduate courses of Jammu University to begin from 15th September. Speaking to @sunilJbhat, spokesperson of the University @ThusooVinay says that all #COVID19 related guidelines will be followed.#ReporterDiaryhttps://t.co/FAHzdk9TO8 pic.twitter.com/JgkRAbHB4j
Students worried about giving exams amid Covid-19 pandemic:
Moreover, many have questioned the university’s decision to hold the examination offline, i.e. through the conventional mode, in the middle of a pandemic.
“The examination should be held online as Covid-19 related SOPs can only be followed inside the exam centres, but not outside the centres. There could be gathering outside the exam centres. And there is every risk of infection transmission”, a student who did not wish to be named said.
However, speaking to India Today, the spokesperson of Jammu University, Dr Vinay Thusoo said that it would not be possible to hold online examination as there are a large number of affiliated colleges and students of far-flung areas would face difficulty to take online examination.
“We understand the concerns of the students. We fully empathise with them. However, people must understand that unlike other varsities, Jammu University is a very big university having a large number of affiliated colleges.”
“There are many students in far-flung areas like Rajouri, Poonch, Kishtwar who don’t have smartphones and access to internet. It would be unfair to them if exams are conducted online”, Dr Vinay Thusoo, Spokesperson, Jammu University told India Today.
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University to follow Covid-19 guidelines and SOPs
The varsity administration has also allayed the fears of the students and assured them that all Covid-19 related guidelines and SOPs will be strictly adhered to and proper sanitisation of the exam centres will be done.
“We will implement all the necessary guidelines. Sitting arrangement will be such that proper social distancing will be maintained at the exam centres. Students must not worry. We are very much aware of their concerns”, Dr Vinay Thusoo added.
Further, as per the notification issued by the University of Jammu, the principals of the colleges where exam centres would be created, will have to ensure that the SOPs as issued by the J&K government and regulatory bodies are adhered to in letter and spirit.
Meanwhile, in an attempt to provide relief to the students, the university administration has said that those appearing in exams would have to attempt only 40 per cent of the total number of questions.
Courtesy: India Today
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