BHUBANESWAR: The final semester/year examinations of undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students are likely be held in the state.
Higher education minister Arun Kumar Sahoo on Saturday hinted at this after a discussion with the vice-chancellors (VCs) of state public universities here.
“In all probability, examinations will be held this year.
Therefore, I request everybody to continue with the teaching-learning process as usual,” the minister said.
He added that the VCs will hold further discussions with the principals and faculty members of degree colleges and students of higher educational institutions.
A final decision will be taken on June 18, he said.
He further said the VCs have requested him to give them some time during which they will talk take the feedback from students of both urban and rural areas.
“Last year, a nationwide lockdown was first imposed on March 25.
This year, the Odisha government has imposed a lockdown since May 5 to break the chain of Covid infection.
This has led to a delay in examination and other related processes.
However, most of the institutions have agreed to complete their courses by June-end,” Sahoo said, adding that online classes were being held in the degree colleges and universities.
Aparajita Chowdhury, vice-chancellor, Rama Devi Women’s University said she, like many others, was in favour of conducting the examinations.
“We will inform the minister about our final decision on June 18,” she added.
At the VC meet, the minister discussed the process of conducting UG and PG examinations last year amid the pandemic.
He also spoke about how the state government had cancelled the UG and PG final semester/year examinations last year, but changed its decision later following a Supreme Court directive to hold the exams.
The minister said .
“Our department has issued directions to these institutions to continue with the online classes,” he added.
The minister has also discussed in the VC meet about online classes, mode of UG and PG examinations (if it happens), institutional development plan, common entrance test for PG admission, NAAC accreditation, research works, projects and other issues related to universities.