IIT-Bombay scraps face to face lectures till end of year, to run semester in 'online mode'

IIT Bombay has decided to scrap face-to-face lectures and has instead opted for online classes, starting from the next semester, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It is likely to trigger a chain reaction across universities to follow suit with online lectures, keeping in mind the safety of the students.

"After a long deliberation in the senate, we have decided today that the next semester will be run purely on online mode so that there is no compromise on the safety and wellbeing of the students," Director, IIT Bombay stated in a facebook post post.

"The COVID-1 pandemic has made us at IIT Bombay rethink the way we impart education to our students. To ensure that our students begin the academic year without delay, we are planning on extensive online classes details of which will be informed to all students in due time," It further added.

The Director however expressed his concern over a large section of students from economically less privileged families who would not have required broadband connections to take these online classes.

As the number of coronavirus cases in India rises rapidly, examinations for final year students in universities are likely to be cancelled in India, according to government officials. The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Wednesday asked the expert committee for examinations and academic calendar to conduct a review and submit a report after revising its guidelines.

UGC Exam Guidelines are likely to be revised to include options such as internal assessment and previous semester results to evaluate the students this year. 

The new session is likely to start in October, according to government sources.

Universities and schools across the country started closing down since March 16 when the Centre announced classrooms to be shut down in order to contain the spread of the virus. Subsequently, a nationwide lockdown was announced on March 24, and ever since schools and colleges remain closed in the country.

Many states have already scrapped their respective board exams in view of the ongoing crisis.

In April, UGC constituted two committees to take crucial decisions on issues related to academic loss due to lockdown, and necessary measures to begin academic session after the lockdown.