Online classes in focus as UGC sits with univs today
The University Grants Commission is likely to urge public universities to ensure online education to minimise possible session jams, despite students' and teachers' consensus shifting momentum against it.
The regulatory body of higher education is set to sit in a virtual meeting with vice chancellors of all public universities today.
"We'll request them to start online education. We are trying to take steps so students do not incur major academic losses due to the Covid-19 situation," UGC member Prof Dil Afroza Begum said.
"We will hear from them about their problems. Public universities should be worried about session jams," she added.
In light of the Covid-19 outbreak, universities were closed down in March 17, that has since been extended till August 6.
Most pubic universities are yet to offer students online education, said a UGC member. Officials gave reasons including lack of facilities at institutions and uneven internet access for all students as reasons.
A majority of 19,000 students and 7,000 teachers of public and private universities in an online survey in May said they do not support online education methods.
A UGC member said during the survey, they found that over 71 percent students are against online education, while 63 percent teachers have similar attitude, he said.
Asked about it, Dil Afroza Begum said, "Can we snatch one year of time from students' academic lives? Is it moral? In this competitive time, students of private universities will go ahead, as they have online education".
Regarding many students not having access to internet and devices, Dil Aforza said, "Teachers can have their lecture at university website, so students can access those later in cases of load shedding or connectivity issues".
UGC member Prof Muhammed Alamgir said session jam is an inevitable problem. Regarding students' and teachers' disinterest towards online classes, he said steps should be taken so they feel their problems and concerns will be addressed.
"It is reality that our universities are not ready to introduce online classes fully," he said.
Many universities started online education but students and teachers lost interest within a week or two. Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology started online classes on June 6, but attendance reduced significantly within a week, said Alamgir.
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