Kashmir University announces slew of post lockdown measures, precautions
Srinagar: The University of Kashmir today announced a series of measures to be taken to fight the spread of COVID -19 after the University reopens after the lockdown, to continue its academic activities.
A meeting in this connection was held today at varsity’s administrative block under the Chairmanship of VC Prof Talat Ahmad. Senior functionaries of the University, including Dean Academics, Dean Research, Dean College Development Council, Registrar, Controller Examinations, Media Advisor, Chief Proctor, Provosts, Directors of north and south Campuses and Director IT attended the meeting.
The meeting was held in the backdrop of recent video- conference of the Lieutenant Governor of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with the VCs of various Universities of J-K UT to review the post lockdown preparedness of these institutions.
Vice Chancellor KU Prof Talat Ahmad took stock of the steps being taken to compensate the teaching learning in the University and said that more steps need to be taken to ensure that students are provided with the online lessons through the e-learning mode and virtual classrooms so that their studies do not suffer due to COVID-19 lockdown. He asked the faculty to provide active support for upgrading the tutorials and development of fresh tutorials and e-lessons.
During the meeting the Vice Chancellor ordered procurement of pen drives in bulk, which shall be loaded with relevant self learning materials to be distributed among the students, once the University re-opens. He also issued directions to the concerned section to procure hand sanitizers and face masks in bulk for the use of students, scholars, teachers and other officials of the University to ensure safety of everyone on the campus. He also issued directions for procurement of immunity boosting medicines from AYUSH.
Prof Talat said in addition to these purchases KU’s Directorate of Life Long Learning, which is entrusted with providing skill based education, should make efforts to make its own masks whereas the Department of Chemistry should make its own hand sanitizers. The University will provide full support for procurements of materials for the same.
The meeting was informed that an amount of Rs Ten lakhs has been kept at the disposal of KU’s Health Centre for procurement of life saving drugs, masks, hand sanitizers and other medicines. More funds will be provided as and when required.
While stressing on comprehensive planning and continued efforts which are imperative to break the transmission chain of COVID-19 Prof Talat issued standing instructions to various department to ensure cleaning/fumigation/sanitizations of all campuses/buildings, particularly hostels, classrooms etc for which he said the University can take help of local government agencies and departments. The departments have also been asked to reorganise the timetable to ensure only small number of students attend the classes at onetime.
The Vice Chancellor directed the Directorate of IT and SS to continuously update the website and make regular use of bulk SMS services. The University website shall be hosting advisories so that all students both boarders and non-boarders can be approached through e.mail, WhatsApp, SMS, telephone etc and informed about the precautions to be taken once the university re-opens, after lockdown is lifted.
On restriction on the campus the Vice Chancellor said that the guidelines issued by the Govt. with regard to prevent the spread of coronavirus have to be implemented in letter and spirit including social distancing , avoiding assembly of people, official or un-official, in university lawns departments and canteens. Wearing of masks or scarfs shall be encouraged at all times.
On management of classrooms the VC said that the concerned Directors/Heads of the departments will ensure that the classrooms are properly ventilated and social distancing is maintained for which the classes can be divided into several sections to avoid crowding and said that students should be advised to wear masks in the class room/campus, use sanitizers when required and wash hands frequently. The DSW shall arrange to screen all the students who return to the University.
During the meeting the Vice Chancellor asked Coordinator NSS and Dean Students Welfare to identify the “Student Volunteers” and make their services available to the civil administration wherever required.
He said both the NSS cadets and student volunteers can also play the role of ambassadors and will make the students aware about the measures to be taken to stop spread of COVID-19 and can also help the administration in implementing the guidelines of the government with regard to stop the spread of COVID19.
The preparation for the conduct of UG and PG examinations shall continue and the dates for conduct of exams shall be decided after the University reopens. The examinations can also be held in phases to avoid crowding and ensure social distancing.
PG Entrance Admission 2020 Link to remain open. The last date will be announced after the University reopens.
Meanwhile the meeting was also informed that the link for submission of online Application Forms/deposition of required fee for PG and 5-Year BA-LLB Programmes Entrance Tests session-2020 shall remain available till further orders. However, in respect of the candidates applying under any reserved category, they shall have to deposit the Hard Copy of their Application Forms alongwith all requisite documents as and when the notice in this regard shall be issued by the University. The candidates are advised to access the University website for further updates. The last date shall be announced after the university reopens.
