Varsities, colleges in Odisha asked to start online classes from July 13

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today directed all the Universities and Colleges in the State to start online teaching for students of intermediate year/semester from July 13, 2020.

In a letter, Higher Education Department Secretary Saswat Mishra asked the higher education institutions to set up a helpline each through teachers to frequently contact students telephonically to counsel them in these difficult times. This will also help students regarding queries on various matters such as online teaching, examinations, projects and assignments and scholarships. This apart, issue of books to students from library shall be facilitated.

These institutions were asked to complete evaluation/ alternative evaluation of final year/ semester students so that their results can be published by August 31, letter added.

The letter asked the higher education institutions (HEIs) to carry out their official work, (excepting teaching in physical classroom mode and running of hostels) with 50% employees’ strength from 01.07.2020 to 31.08.2020.

“Wherever the HEI campus/building is used by the District Administration for COVID-19 Quarantine Centre/ Hospital, the head of the HEI shall ensure that the employees of the HEI carry out their official work/duty from other campus/ building of the HEI. Simultaneously, the District Administration should also be requested to vacate the HEI campus/building at the earliest,” it said.