The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Thursday issued a total of 23 directives to private universities, including two key alternative proposals.
As per the guidelines, private universities can continue online classes and exams to continue their educational activities amid the on-going closure of all educational institutions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
These instructions are given through an office order signed by UGC private university director Md Fakhrul Islam.
The UGC has issued two alternative proposals for completing the current semester at private universities for conducting online class-examinations. Universality authority can follow any of the two alternative guidelines.
Private universities have been given the opportunity to follow any of the three methods of online class-examination.
The UGC also urged the varsity authorities for regular payment of the salaries and allowances of the teachers, officers and employees during the pandemic.
In collecting tuition fees during the coronavirus situation, UGC asked the private university authorities to treat students from humanitarian ground in case of financial crisis. If any student is unable to do class through online, authority should give the opportunity to take examination later. University cannot charge extra fee or fine in this regard.
In all areas of education, it is important to ensure that students do not resort to any form of misconduct or unfair means in examinations.
According to the directive, no new semester activities can be started before next July. Admission activities for the new semester should not start before June.
The academic calendar of the university should be revised to deal with the ongoing situation.
On April 30, a virtual meeting was held with the participation of the Ministry of Education, UGC and university authorities to conduct online higher education activities.
The UGC was asked to formulate a guideline for conducting educational activities in private universities during the ongoing crisis. UGC made a directive in this regard and sent it to various universities via e-mail on Thursday afternoon.