COVID-19 lockdown: Panjab University to issue degrees online

Every year, Panjab University organises convocation for almost students that include PhD scholars, Postgraduate students, and medal winners.

Amid the nationwide lockdown, academic institutions are exploring ways to continue with their annual activities like conducting classes, allocating project works, sharing study materials and more. Panjab University, situated in Chandigarh, is under a similar dilemma. The University is yet to conduct its convocation but is not able to set a date.   

The schools and universities closed their campus and suspended their classes until March 31, upon UGC’s directions due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the country. However, the suspension has been extended due to the 21 days nationwide lockdown declared by PM Narendra Modi. The lockdown period started on March 25 and will go on until April 14. Every year, Panjab University organises convocation for almost students that include PhD scholars, Postgraduate students, and medal winners.

Due to the extended shutdown and rapidly spreading contagious COVID-19 virus, the university is now sorting ways to distribute degrees online. According to the reports, a source stated that a provision to shift to the online method exists but a final approval is required by the syndicate and senate.

The further extended lockdown has raised questions like if it will ever be organised? Or when will it be organised? The controller of the examination, PU, Parvinder Singh stated that he is not sure about the convocation considering the situations.

Due to the uncertainty, many state boards passed their students without conducting annual examinations, while students of class 10 and class 12 are still waiting for their board exams to get rescheduled. Many universities also extended the suspension until lockdown. However, they are conducting classes and allocating study material online.

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