Address COVID-19 challenges collectively; Form task force, helplines: UGC to Universities, Colleges

The Vice-Chancellors of the universities, principals of colleges are also asked to continue their efforts and reinforce their support to the faculty, students, staff and officers to keep the people in good health, safe and informed during these difficult times.

University Grants Commission (UGC), the higher education regulatory asked all the universities and colleges to “collectively address COVID-19 challenges in terms of physical and mental health, safety and overall well-being.” UGC in an official statement said, “To mitigate the spread of coronavirus, all stakeholders of higher educational institutions (HEIs) including students, teachers, staff and their families need to work collectively.”

While releasing advisories on addressing COVID-19 challenges, UGC urged the HEIs to constitute task force and form helplines, arrange for counsellors and mentors for mental health, psychosocial support and well-being and motivate everyone to engage in activities for physical and mental fitness while staying at home. The statement released by the commission reads, “These challenging times demand that we remain sensitive to the problems and needs of our stakeholders, and extend our best possible support and help to overcome such unprecedented situation.

It further added, “As Heads of the Institutions, all of you have even greater responsibility to work collectively in the larger interest of all concerned for their health and safety and keeping the campus safe.” The Vice-Chancellors of the universities, principals of colleges are also asked to continue their efforts and reinforce their support to the faculty, students, staff and officers to keep the people in good health, safe and informed during these difficult times.

While issuing advisories and guidelines for COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and management of institutional activities by following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), UGC also pointed out the following measures:

• Spread awareness and encourage stakeholders to participate in vaccination drives to protect themselves, their friends and family
• Promoting COVID-19 appropriate behaviour including sanitization, wearing mask, washing hands with soap repeatedly, maintaining social distancing, testing, tracing of suspected cases and appropriate treatment
• Form a team of well-informed trained volunteers in life-skills including NCC and NSS, for extending help and support
• Ensure that the initiatives must seek to reach those at greatest risk of being left behind, people in emergencies and crises; and those who are differently-abled

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