Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University to give free education to families hit by Covid-19

PRAYAGRAJ: After some prominent schools of the city decided to help the students whose families have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the lone open university of the state, Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University (UPRTOU), has also come forward to lend a helping hand to such families.
The university authorities have decided that anyone who has lost their parents or spouse due to the pandemic, and wishes to pursue a course from the university, would be imparted free education.
“We have decided that the university will impart free education to anyone who has lost the earning member of the family because of Covid-19. Likewise, a married woman who has lost her husband or a student who has become orphaned because of the pandemic, can pursue any of the courses of his or her choice and we will not charge any fee from such a candidate,” said UPRTOU vice-chancellor Prof Seema Singh.
She further said that the university is equally sensitive towards the presently enrolled students of the university and would also come up with a positive decision in terms of a situation wherein our present student has met with a similar unfortunate circumstance and lost the earning member of the family.
“The student could be facing a problem of how to manage the fee for next semester or year. We would be helping such students too,” said Prof Singh.
The VC further informed TOI that soon the issue would be approved through the Academic Council (AC) and the Executive Council (EC) of the open university and would be implemented. “Once this is approved by the two decision making bodies of the university, anyone who falls in the category and wants to pursue any academic course from the university can take admission, which would be free,” said the VC.
The university runs 105 courses through 1,200 study centres spread across the state and managed by 12 regional centres.
The VC also informed TOI that the teachers and employees of the university would give one day’s salary to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to fight Covid. It won’t be binding and all teachers and employees can pay as per their own wish.
It has also been decided that a health centre would soon be opened in the open university campus. Apart from teachers, staff and officers of the university, better medical facilities will also be made available to the students. An experienced doctor will soon be appointed for this.