Conduct online viva: Gujarat Govt to varsities

In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, the nationwide lockdown has upset academic calendar of several universities. However, the education department of Gujarat Government has ordered universities to make use of technology to conduct viva of MPhil and PhD students online. In Gujarat, a notification has been sent to 76 universities in this connection. Anju Sharma, Principal Secretary of Higher and Technical Education, informed that she had sought clarification from University Grants Commission (UGC) and they have been given clearance for the move. She further stated that universities had been urged to conduct viva using apps and online platforms. She talked about some cases where students had submitted their thesis but their viva had not been conducted.

In viva, there is a requirement for a jury member from outside Gujarat. Navin Sheth, Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat Technology University (GTU), informed that the university was open to idea of conducting online viva. He informed that they had been holding online viva of those abroad. Now guides and officials would decide the dates and they would hold online viva of all students.  Himanshu Pandya, Gujarat University vice-chancellor, welcomed the initiative. He informed that GU had provision for online viva. They had been conducting it for PhD and research, they would also do it for UG and PG students.

Apart from this, IIT Gandhinagar’s Palaj campus has taken up an initiative to take care of labourers involved in the construction work. Besides disinfecting their makeshift houses, IIT-Gn has been providing medicine, food, masks to the workers. So far, IIT Gandhinagar has raised Rs 5 lakh. 

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