University of Hyderabad pauses further return of terminal semester students

Two weeks ago, the University's Task Force had recommended the return of about 2000 terminal semester students if they wished to do so.

In view of the upsurge in Covid-19 cases in different parts of the country as well as the latest decision of the Government of Telangana to close all educational institutions in the State,

After a review meeting held by the Vice-Chancellor this morning with senior administrators and the Task Force, the University has announced that it was putting on hold all plans to start in-person or blended teaching classes until further orders. The academic units have been asked to continue all teaching online and conduct end-semester examinations also online.

"I can understand the anxiety felt by students and their families caused by the current surge in cases and the Telangana government decision to close educational institutions. Those students who wished to go back home may feel free to do so and assured that the University would do everything possible to facilitate the continuation of academic activities online," said Professor Appa Rao Podile, Vice-Chancellor, University of Hyderabad.

There are about 1200 students, including research scholars and Master's students, who are currently on the campus to complete their practical/laboratory/project/thesis work before they graduate in June. The departments and schools that are in the process of completing the practical inputs have been advised to continue to do so by strictly following all Covid protocols.

All students, faculty, and staff have been asked to strictly follow the health protocols already circulated by the Task Force. In the coming days, the University will conduct mock drills of the health emergency response system on campus and work with the School of Medical Sciences to institute a public health surveillance system as per WHO/ICMR protocols.

Prof. Appa Rao appealed to all the students who have chosen to stay in the hostels on campus to remain cautious in their interactions and prudent in their movements in and out of the campus. If students don't exercise self-regulation in their own behaviour, and if the situation worsens, the University may be compelled to impose a stricter regulatory environment, he cautioned.