Universities draw up SOPs for resuming classes

LUCKNOW: The government is yet to announce any guidelines for opening of universities, but the institutions are busy planning and preparing their own standard operating procedures for resuming studies.
Some institutions plan to ask students whether they want online or offline classes, while others are thinking of holding classes on alternate days besides chalking out rules to ensure social distancing.
Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) will seek the opinion of students on the preferred mode and will thereafter decide whether to conduct classes on the campus or in online mode.
“We will take students’ opinion and will decide accordingly. All the rules followed in final year and state entrance examinations will be strictly enforced on resumption of physical classes, be it thermal scanning or wearing masks. The seating arrangement will be similar to the one followed in examination and classes would be held in batches,” said AKTU spokesperson Asheesh Mishra.
A medical room equipped with pulse oximeter, masks, sanitizer and basic treatment facilities will be mandatory in all colleges, said Mishra.
Khwaja Moinuddin Urdu, Arabi-Farsi University has decided to offer both online and offline classes.
“The lectures will be recorded daily and uploaded on YouTube so that students who don’t want to come or are unwell can study in the comforts of their home,” said vice-chancellor Mahruf Mirza.
Thermal scanning will be done at entry and exit points and hand sanitization will be compulsory at entrances, he added.
Lucknow University is also planning to offer both online and offline options so that social distancing is maintained in classrooms.
“We are prepared for reopening and are waiting for the government's directions. We will follow all directions to prevent the spread of coronavirus,” said an official.