‘Public univs can hold final exams’

Public universities of the country can hold their honours and masters' final year examinations as per decisions taken by their respective academic councils, following proper health safety measures.

The University Grants Commission after a virtual meeting with vice  chancellors of 39 public universities yesterday took the decision.

UGC Chairman Prof Kazi  Shahidullah at the meeting said academic council and dean's committee  will have the final say regarding exams at the public university, according to an UGC statement yesterday.

He also urged all to keep an eye so that no question could be raised about the quality of exams.

The meeting also decided to keep other coronavirus pandemic restrictions in place.

"No public universities will be able to keep the residential halls open," acting UGC Secretary Ferdous Zaman told The Daily Star. He said students will have to arrange their own residential facilities for the duration of the exams.

Many students were in the middle of the honours final year and postgraduate level, the UGC secretary said, adding that some candidates have completed theoretical exams and need to just appear in practical exams.

UGC held the meeting with the VCs as authorities of many public universities want to hold the exams to negate session jam and ensure that students qualify for sitting in the upcoming BCS exams.

Several universities including Dhaka University and Jagannath University already said that they would hold the final exams. National University asked all students to prepare for final exams as well.

Students, mostly of honours final year exams, are holding demonstrations demanding exams and some of them are contacting authorities with the same demand.

Universities were waiting for the decision of the UGC as it had asked all universities in June to hold online classes, exams and practical classes after normalcy returns.