COVID-19 Lockdown: Manipur University starts virtual classes

Manipur University has started conducting online classes for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses, to avoid any academic or year loss of the student.

With educational institutions around the country been shut due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Manipur University has started taking online classes for the students. However, many students who are residing in the remote areas are facing the issue due to poor net speed and connectivity while attending the classes, officials said.  

On April 2, Professor W C Singh, Registrar, Manipur University had asked all the students and teachers to download and install Zoom application or Zoom Cloud Meeting on their laptops and smartphones in order to attend online classes.

Students were also asked to provide their email ids to their respective departments. Professor Basanta Sharma, Head of Physics department said that teaching a science subject online is much more difficult than any other subject. As for science subjects, you need to draw up diagrams, explain scientific theories with the use of mathematical formulas and calculations.

He also said the time slot given is 40 minutes but it often has to be extended to one hour due to technical issues particularly due to disruption in live streaming and sound.

Many students have complained of poor net connectivity, especially in rural and hill areas, which creates hindrance in the interaction process.

Professor O Mukherjee, Head of Chemistry department, said: "In chemistry and physics, online teaching cannot reach up to the level of satisfaction as in humanities subject as these two particular subjects require explanation based on mathematical calculations, drawing symbols, molecular structure, formulas."

Assistant Professor Sonia Wahengbam of Mass Communication and Journalism department, said: " the online classes provide engagement to both the teachers and students during this lockdown period. It also helps us to keep our students attached to their studies during these tough times."

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