GUWAHATI: The buzz is expected to be back on the campus from February 1 with the return of students to hostels across the state. Dormitories were partially reopened in December last year for final semester students. But now all students would be back, though in a phased manner.
While most leading higher educational institutions are ready to welcome cent percent hostel boarders, lack of Covid testing infrastructure continues to be a concern for the institutions. Moreover, instructions to invite students to hostels in phases, has put several institutions in a fix about prioritising the student list.
As far as Gauhati University (GU) is concerned, most of the 22 hostels will be opened on February 1. The leading state university has already opened its hostels to around 500 final semester students. “To reopen hostels is a challenging task but we are confident of managing it. We have been able to operate the hostels as of now and maintain Covid protocols,” said secretary of university classes at GU, Dilip Kumar Borah.
More than 75% GU students hail from different districts. A large number of them are from rural areas where internet connectivity frequently poses hurdles in online classes. A university official said students from rural areas need to be given top priority but it is going to be a mammoth task to select the students for the first list. “Students without proper IT infrastructure should be given the first preference. But how to identify them from such a huge number of beneficiaries is the question,” the official asked.
The SOP on hostel reopening published by the state education department on Wednesday said students will report to hostels in groups. The entry time is to be fixed by the heads of the institutions. Though staying in hostels is not mandatory, attendance will be monitored after they return.
“We had instructed hostel wardens to get ready. Our college was planning to accommodate all students because practical examinations require students to be present on the campus. However, as per the new SOP, we will invite students for the practical classes in a phased manner,” said said Rita Sarmah, principal of Jorhat Engineering College.
She added that the theory classes have progressed well through the online mode. The curriculum for the ongoing semester classes have been completed online.