You might be looking at reopening of campuses as per UGC

After the announcement of a nationwide lockdown on March 24th, colleges and universities were also shut down indefinitely. So far, there has been speculation about the reopening of the campuses but with each lockdown, it was getting clear that schools and colleges will probably be the last to reopen. Perhaps a viable reason for this would be the direct involvement of the youth of the country.

On June 1st, UGC prepared a draft with a plan to reopen campuses. The reopening of campuses would require a meticulously planned strategy. This is because college campuses are hubs alive with activity. The R0 of coronavirus would enable it to spread very fast in case even a single case turns up. Owing to that, UGC has said that when colleges and universities will eventually reopen, they will do so in phases. Initially, it is expected that only research scholars would return to campus, and gradually, other students and teachers will begin to return as well.

Tie-ups with medical facilities will enable the higher education institutions to put in place the protocols to deal with the unwell members of the student community. Teachers and students with a history of medical issues such as heart disease or diabetes would be expected to opt for online methods of teaching and learning. While the HRD ministry is readying for the reopening of the campuses, UGC has also drawn up a list of dos and don’ts for the institutions. These draft norms were part of the agenda at a meeting of the UGC Board held on Friday.

The final standard operation procedures (SOPs) will be published by the government after discussions between the HRD and health ministries. The health ministry may also issue a protocol post this discussion.

In its current draft, the UGC has given the following suggestions to tackle the spread of the disease after the reopening of campuses:

• The admission process should be conducted online to avoid the physical presence of students on the campus

• Students with online facilities should be encouraged to study from home. The same would apply to international students.

• All institutions are also recommended to establish a mechanism for quarantine, and should any case of COVID-19 emerge, follow contact tracing. 

• Hygiene for common facilities such as canteens and libraries are expected to be taken very seriously. 

• Regular screening to be done for all faculty and students and awareness drives to be conducted.

• Regular counsellor visits to help stressed students. 

• For courses with a practical component, students to be divided between classroom and laboratories. Equipment from the labs should be sanitized and not widely shared.

• Movement of all outsiders to be strictly regulated within the college campuses.

These measures are being put forth with the quick spread of the disease in mind. As it has been observed worldwide, it initially seems like an isolated case but the spread becomes rapid very quickly. Hence, the measures should be elaborate and efficient.

However, it is to be noted that these are only the initial recommendations and a final draft will only be given after a discussion with all stakeholders.

Inder Mohan Kapahy, a former UGC member, said, “We should remember that implementing such SOPs shall be a herculean task. The total number of students in higher education is about 40 million which is more than the population of more than 150 countries. The numerical expansion has taken place without the creation of matching infrastructure. Yet non-conventional methods shall be required in the post-COVID period.”

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