UGC allows in-person exams for both public, private universities on conditions

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has permitted all universities – both public and private – in the country to take exams of honours and masters classes in person.

Following the approval of the respective academic councils, each university has to take the examinations as per previous guidelines issued by the university apex body.

The decisions were taken at a views exchange meeting on Monday among the universities, the UGC, and the Education Ministry. It was chaired by Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, said a press release on Tuesday.

At Monday’s meeting , the Education Ministry and the UGC arrived at four decisions to ensure that universities could properly conduct their academic activities both offline and online, including exams and admissions while maintaining Covid health safety rules.

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Dipu Moni, while addressing the meeting, said: “The universities will be allowed to continue their educational activities. They will be instructed on what measures should be taken following the reopening.”

The four conditions

* As per the instruction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, all university students will soon be brought under vaccination on a priority basis. Inoculation will begin with residential students

* In-person or online exams will be held following the approval and supervision of the academic councils of the respective universities

* After vaccination, university halls will be reopened for students and academic activities will resume in full swing

* To make up for the academic loss caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, each university will prepare a “recovery plan” and implement it based on its capacity and practical reality. A general guideline in this regard will be provided by the UGC to the universities soon

All universities – 49 public and 107 private – have remained closed since March 18, 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.