Panjab University research scholars demand access to campus facilities, hostel accommodation

Panjab University Research Scholars Association laid down certain demands while staging a protest on Tuesday, i.e. September 7, 2020. 

Research scholars at Panjab University on Tuesday i.e. September 8, 2020, submitted a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor, Dean Student Welfare and Dean Research while staging a protest to draw their attention towards issues being faced by them due to a sudden imposition of lockdown in mid-March. In the memorandum submitted by the Panjab University Research Scholars Association (PURSA) the students highlighted that scholars have a limited tenure of 3-5 years to complete their research work, out of which six months have already gone by. An official statement issued by the Panjab University scholars stated, “Research Scholars need an environment of discussion, common study space, library facility, good internet connection to access various journals and concentrated minds to focus on their research activities which is very difficult at home for many. The experimental research of scholars is suffering badly due to the inaccessibility of lab facilities."

During the protest PURSA also laid emphasis on opening hostels for PhD/MPhil students as many scholars who are not on any fellowship programmes will find it difficult to pay rents outside. The association stated, “Moreover, living outside the campus will not be safe at this time of the pandemic."
Putting further their demands, the association also asked that the university constitute a committee to take decision on the entry of scholars in departments at the earliest and arrange for their accommodation within campus.

Academic institutions including schools, colleges and universities are closed in the country since the month of March due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus followed by the imposition of the nationwide lockdown in order to contain the deadly virus. 

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