New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), which had been shut since March due to the pandemic, will be opening in a phased manner from November 2.
This follows demands from JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) that has been staging an indefinite strike since Saturday, Indian Express reported.
The decision was taken following meetings of JNUSU representatives with the chief security officer (CSO) on Monday and the dean of students (DoS) on Tuesday.
The agitating students are demanding at least six months of extension to research scholars for completing their theses and conduct of semester end exams for graduate and post graduate students who missed their final semester due to the pandemic.
An official statement by the JNU administration said, “The university will be opened in a phased manner with effect from Monday in view of the pandemic situation, only for final year PhD Research scholars, including 98 students and project staff who require laboratory access only in science schools and special centres.”
It added that the second phase, which would depend on the success of the first phase, would begin from November 16, and only for hostel resident final year PhD scholars. It also said that students would be required to have supervisor’s certification for laboratory access.
According to the mandatory guidelines issued, returning students will have to undergo quarantine of seven days upon arrival in Delhi, fill up a self-declaration form, and download Arogya Setu app, before joining the university.
The notification, asking deans, chairpersons of science schools and centres to submit an action plan within three days, also mentioned that violation of COVID protocols by students would result in disciplinary action.
“Meetings may be conducted only in an online mode. No social gathering is allowed in the academic blocks and other parts of the University. All students and staff working in the lab must wear face masks/gloves, social distancing norms (six-feet radius) must be maintained inside the lab,” the notification added.