Colleges to start after Diwali, UGC issues guidelines

Mumbai : After Diwali, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has given the green signal to start colleges and educational institutions in the country from November 16 and guidelines have been issued in this regard. The University Grants Commission has suggested that colleges in non-containment zones should be started in phases. Importantly, it will be mandatory for students to have a Arogya Setu app in their mobile.

In the first phase, classes for researchers, postgraduates and final year students should start, the commission said in its guidelines. The commission has made it clear that students should be allowed to attend voluntarily even if the college starts. It also said that 50 per cent of the total number of students in colleges should be allowed inside the colleges.

‘Make uniform rules’

It has also been clarified that universities should continue online education even if actual colleges are started. The commission also allowed the establishment of hostels in residential colleges where possible. However, only one student should be allowed to stay in one room, the guideline said.

It has also been suggested that if a student develops corona symptoms after starting college, he or she should be immediately isolated. It has been clarified that the state governments should make uniform rules for the educational institutions in the state.