Panjab University to Issue Degrees Online to Students
Panjab University is planning to issue degrees online to the students as there is a lot of uncertainty regarding the convocation which was scheduled for April. Due to the coronavirus lockdown, there is no clarity yet regarding the convocation ceremony.
Panjab University (PU) is planning to issue degrees online to the students and is exploring ways to do so. As per the sources, a provision to issue degrees online exists but a final approval is needed for the same by the senate and the syndicate. Approximately 700 students which include postgraduate students, PhD scholars, and medal students are given degrees every year at the convocation ceremony.
The convocation was scheduled to be held in April but due to the ongoing lockdown due to COVID-19, there is no clarity as to when the convocation will be held. PU Controller of Examination, Parvinder Singh said he is not aware of the convocation considering the current situation.
PU had also issued guidelines recently for online teaching to make up for the academic loss due to COVID-19. The teachers have to upload the content online by making use of the Google Classroom and resolve students’ queries. The lectures will be conducted through email and the queries will be responded to through Whatsapp, email and Skype. Teachers have also been asked to use YouTube for making presentations. Students can respond via video conferencing and interactive sessions will be held through Zoom or Skype.
Meanwhile, the Department of Chemistry at PU had recently developed a laboratory-made hand sanitiser as per the WHO standard to be used for protection against viral and bacterial strains. Also, PU’s BioNEST has received funding of Rs.6 lakh from a Mumbai-based private Biotech firm for doing research on COVID-19.