Odisha UG, PG final semester exams to be conducted via online mode
Image used for representational purpose onlyBHUBANESWAR: The state government has decided that final semester/year examinations of undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) courses will be conducted by July-August this year via online mode. Higher education minister Arun Kumar Sahoo announced this on Friday after discussing with vice-chancellors of state public universities.
“If any final semester/year students have back papers of previous semesters, they will appear for the back paper examinations in July-August through online mode. Concerned universities and autonomous colleges in the state will finalise the dates (schedule) of examinations,” said the minister.
The minister said the college and university authorities will ensure that their students appear for the online examinations. “This decision has been taken for final year/semester examinations only. Appropriate decisions will be taken for other semester/year students of UG and PG courses at a later stage,” he added.
This announcement by the minister has put an end to the confusion over the UG and PG examinations in the state. “We have taken this decision keeping the adverse situation in mind. Online classes are being underway in the degree colleges and universities of the higher education department,” said Sahoo.
On June 12, the minister had discussed with all vice-chancellors (VC) of state public universities to take a decision regarding the UG and PG examinations. But the final decision could not be announced. Universities were given June 18 time to make a final decision after holding discussion with the students, faculty and heads of the higher educational institutions.
The higher education department had a bitter experience last year by cancelling the final examinations and then holding it later following the university grants commission (UGC) guidelines. The Supreme Court had also directed the states to follow the UGC guidelines for holding the final semester/year examinations last year.
On June 11 last year, this department had decided to cancel both theory and practical tests of the end semester/final year of UG and PG courses. But the department came under pressure after UGC issued revised guidelines on July 6 last year making final semester/year examinations mandatory for UG and PG students.
Rajesh Kumar Parida, final year student of public administration department, Utkal University, said the government should ensure that the degree colleges follow Covid-19 guidelines strictly while allowing students to appear for the examinations online. “Many students do not have facilities at home, so they will visit nearby colleges. The authorities should ensure that the college is not crowded with examinees. Government should allow the students to travel during this lockdown period,” he added.
Another student from Jagatsinghpur said the minister did not clarify about the pattern of examinations. “We should know whether the examinations will have objective or subjective questions. We need to know how many marks we should appear for a paper? A clarification is needed on this matter,” he added.
“If any final semester/year students have back papers of previous semesters, they will appear for the back paper examinations in July-August through online mode. Concerned universities and autonomous colleges in the state will finalise the dates (schedule) of examinations,” said the minister.
He said the students who have facilities can appear for the examinations from their home, while others can visit nearby degree colleges for this purpose. “Universities and autonomous colleges will decide the process of the online examinations,” he added.
The minister said the college and university authorities will ensure that their students appear for the online examinations. “This decision has been taken for final year/semester examinations only. Appropriate decisions will be taken for other semester/year students of UG and PG courses at a later stage,” he added.
This announcement by the minister has put an end to the confusion over the UG and PG examinations in the state. “We have taken this decision keeping the adverse situation in mind. Online classes are being underway in the degree colleges and universities of the higher education department,” said Sahoo.
On June 12, the minister had discussed with all vice-chancellors (VC) of state public universities to take a decision regarding the UG and PG examinations. But the final decision could not be announced. Universities were given June 18 time to make a final decision after holding discussion with the students, faculty and heads of the higher educational institutions.
The higher education department had a bitter experience last year by cancelling the final examinations and then holding it later following the university grants commission (UGC) guidelines. The Supreme Court had also directed the states to follow the UGC guidelines for holding the final semester/year examinations last year.
On June 11 last year, this department had decided to cancel both theory and practical tests of the end semester/final year of UG and PG courses. But the department came under pressure after UGC issued revised guidelines on July 6 last year making final semester/year examinations mandatory for UG and PG students.
Rajesh Kumar Parida, final year student of public administration department, Utkal University, said the government should ensure that the degree colleges follow Covid-19 guidelines strictly while allowing students to appear for the examinations online. “Many students do not have facilities at home, so they will visit nearby colleges. The authorities should ensure that the college is not crowded with examinees. Government should allow the students to travel during this lockdown period,” he added.
Another student from Jagatsinghpur said the minister did not clarify about the pattern of examinations. “We should know whether the examinations will have objective or subjective questions. We need to know how many marks we should appear for a paper? A clarification is needed on this matter,” he added.
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