BPUT Exam: Students protest conduct of final semester amid COVID-19 pandemic

Bhubaneswar: While the Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) has already announced the schedule for final semester of 2019-20 academic year, students have come out opposing the decision to conduct the exam.

Worth mentioning, the BPUT on June 27 announced that the final semester for all its courses will be conducted between July 9 July 29 through Artificial Intelligence Proctored Platform along with manual proctoring (supervision/invigilation).

Strongly condemning the varsity’s decision, students alleged that holding of the examination at this crucial time, when the COVID-19 situation is worsening in the state, will put lives of many students at risk. They demanded that the varsity promote students on the basis of results of previous semesters and internal examinations like other reputed educational institutions. Moreover, the students have also opposed conduct of the online exam, evaluation of answer sheets and result declaration through a third party of Telangana.

Yesterday, a group of BPUT students staged a peaceful protest here wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.

“The state Government is playing with the future of students by assigning a third party from outside for management of the examinations” alleged a student.

“Earlier, there used to be subjective questions for all semesters. But now there will be objective and MCQ (multiple choice questions) patterns. But we have less time for preparation.  Another important thing is that all BPUT students do not have stable internet connection which is mandatory for the examination,” pointed out another student.

When asked, Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Premananda Nayak  said there will be no change in dates for the examination. However, the students’ complaints regarding management of the exams through a third party will be taken into consideration .