IIM Calcutta, IIT Kharagpur unsure of conducting offline classes

While IIT Kharagpur, IIM Calcutta as well as NIT Durgapur have started recalling students. It is likely that the institute will continue classes on digital platforms ensuring the safety of students and staff members. 

Amid the reopening of institutions in view of the declining cases of the number of COVID-19 cases, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta have resumed calling students from February 3. However, reports suggest that the institute is still unsure about commencing offline classes.

Last month, after witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases, IIT Kharagpur had to shut campus. The institute said even if the authority has asked to resume offline classes, it would continue to hold classes over digital platforms. There are approximately 15,000-odd students enrolled under various programmes at the institute. Considering the number, the authorities are keen on a wider consultation before deciding on the resumption of in-person classes.

Similarly, IIM Calcutta, where four hostels were turned into a micro containment zone last month, has decided to conduct classes over digital platforms until the end of the term in March. The Joka business school, too, has started calling students to the campus.

Meanwhile, another severe spike in the number of COVID-19 cases was witnessed at NIT Durgapur last month. The institute called a meeting on February 8 to decide on the recall process. Classes will continue to be held over digital platforms for some time, said an NIT official.

According to The Telegraph, Dhrubajyoti Sen, dean of students at IIT Kharagpur, said they were planning to recall in the first phase research scholars who had registered last year and the students who left the campus following the latest surge in COVID cases last month.

“No decision has been made yet on starting in-person classes,” he said.

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