Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 25

Keeping in view the upheavals caused by the global pandemic, an online and offline interaction, “Reach Out 2020 - An Interaction on Academic Issues and Concerns”, was organised by Dr Anju Suri, Dean, International Students, Panjab University.

Under the patronage of Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof Raj Kumar, this interaction was conducted to address issues, resolve concerns and provide suggestions and assistance to international students.

Over 70 students of the PU hailing from Afghanistan, Mauritius, Iran, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Vietnam and Nepal joined the online interaction and appreciated this initiative.

Dr Deepti Gupta, chairperson, English and Cultural Studies, former Dean, International Students, and Dean, Alumni Relations, PU, provided guidance to the students. Dr Seema Vinayak, chairperson, Department of Physiology, who has extensive experience in counselling and stress management, provided the students with specific information about various initiatives being currently offered by the PU to aid and assist in managing the stress caused by the fear, anxiety and uncertainty of the pandemic.

Dr Rani Mehta, chairperson, Department of Sociology, offered helpful tips and encouragement to the students by providing them with suggestions on how to cope with study material and dearth of library facilities in their own countries.

Dr Priyatosh Sharma, chairman, Department of History, was also on the panel and his presence in the offline interactions proved to be of immense help to the students.