Universities in Pune to make major changes in academics post-lockdown

The virtual way of education is going to be real for universities in Pune that are planning to bring some major shift in academics once the lockdown is lifted.

Once the lockdown is lifted, the online mode of education is going to be a new norm for universities in Pune. Several of city-based universities have planned a major shift in academics once the classes are resumed.

Among the several steps planned ahead for the students post-lockdown some are hybrid or blended courses with only 50 percent students in the class and the rest staying in hostels or homes; moving the entire semester to online; putting more stress on continuous evaluation process; building in-house online learning platforms; attendance for students and staffs to be done through iris scan rather than biometric; and, intranet-based attendance.

The universities are also planning to modify the seating arrangement in the classroom, helplines to be set-up for counselling and the syllabus to be created with the components of self-study, group study, and self-paced learning.

Speaking on the same, Nitin Karmalkar, Vice-chancellor, Savirtibai Phule Pune University (SPPU), said that the varsity taking several measures, starting from a disinfectant tunnel at the entry gate to getting every unit sanitized. It is also looking at hybrid teaching and learning process. For example, if a class has 80 students, then the university is working out on the possibility where 40 students will be allowed to be in the classroom while remaining will take online lessons from their homes or hostels.

Maintaining social distance in the classrooms is a task but educational institutions have to take extra effort to teach their students about the same, said Vidya Yeravdekar, Principal-Director of Symbiosis Society.

Many universities have opted for an online mode of education since the lockdown has been announced. With uncertainty over lockdown, some universities have also conducted examinations online in the country.

Read More:

• COVID-19 Lockdown: Savitribai Phule Pune University announces interim vacation until April 14
• Decision on holding University exam only after lockdown: SPPU Vice-chancellor