Coronavirus outbreak: Universities in Assam start e-classes for students

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Tezpur University, Gauhati University, and a few other private universities have started online classes (e-classes) to compensate for the academic losses of students due to the ongoing closure of educational institutions in the State in view of the coronavirus outbreak globally.

“As the universities will remain closed till March 31, in adherence to the State Government’s directive to avoid congregations on campuses, we are opting for online platforms,” a teacher at Tezpur University said. He added that students of the English department have been asked to join the Google Groups service with their own email ids.

Google Groups allows online creation of and participation in email-based groups for community conversation. The teachers of Tezpur University have been asked us to join Google Groups and provided audio, video visuals or pdf documents in the group.

“This innovative step is necessary to cope with the evolving situation. Otherwise the syllabus will not be completed. Going by the present situation, the shutdown may continue beyond March 31 and more. So, the shutdown time can be used in a productive way,” the teacher pointed out.

The Controller of Examinations of Tezpur University said in a notification, “The students are asked to meet their respective course instructors before leaving the university to collect their assignments for continuation of academic activities from their home. The students will be required to provide their email ids and contact details to the instructors for sending materials to them by email so that the academic activities can continue during the closure period.”

On other hand, the departments of Physics, Communication and Journalism, and Women’s Studies of Gauhati University are organizing e-classes and encouraging such initiatives. Nearly 70 per cent of the students of the Communication and Journalism department, on Friday, participated in online classes via Skype.

Some private universities have also started the e-classroom system.

Also Read: Assam’s 1st COVID-19 positive case. 4.5 yr-old girl tests positive in Jorhat

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