Committee constituted by Panjab University Syndicate held deliberations 

Chandigarh: The Committee constituted by the Panjab University Syndicate held on July 24, 2020 to deliberate upon the issues of examination/assessment, evaluation, and grades to students, entrance tests and online teaching process for the session 2020-2021 has made the following recommendations for necessary action, informed by Prof R K Singla,Dean University Instructions :
 
1.    That teaching of ongoing classes of all UG/PG courses for colleges as well as University Campus and Regional Centres be started from August 3, 2020 through online mode and teaching of 1st Semester of all UG/PG courses (new admissions) may be started from September 1, 2020 tentatively.
 
2.    That admission process for those UG courses (offered by the PU teaching Departments/Regional Centres/Affiliated Colleges only), where admission is made on the basis of merit, be started in the month of August and online classes of such courses be started from September 1, 2020.
 
3.    That admission to (i) B.A.B.Ed. and (ii) B.Sc. Fashion Technology course (PU Campus), admission is based on aptitude test.  The department of Fashion Technology has yet to take final call on the issue of aptitude test, whereas, the department offering B.A.B.Ed has requested to exempt the aptitude test and allow them to make admissions on the basis of merit only.
 
It was unanimously approved that there would be no aptitude test in admission to B.Sc. Fashion Technology and B.A.B.Ed course. The admission would be based on 10+2 marks.
 
4.    That regarding  online teaching of classes, the members made the following recommendations:
 
a.    There would be total four hours of teaching (per day) comprising of 5  periods (up to 45 minutes/one hour each) for different course/class as given below:
                                                              i.      First period (45 minutes) would be for preparation of teaching material and arrangement of online set up by all the faculty members as per time table (9.00 to 9.45 a.m.)
                                                            ii.      Second period (9.45 am to 10.30 am, third period (10.45 am to 11.30 am) and fourth period (11.45 am to 12.30 pm) would be taken continuously (online) for each class as per time table.
                                                          iii.      Fifth period (3.00 pm to 4.00 pm ) would be for resolving the queries/doubts over phone call/WhatsApp or any other mechanism as per suitability of the teacher. This period will serve as tutorial /practical/training/ consultation)
                                                          iv.      The departments where UG admission has been done done would prepare time-table for all classes. However, other departments would prepare time-table for ongoing classes only.
                                                            v.      The Chairpersons/Heads would ensure that teaching workload is distributed, first, to all Regular faculty, then Temporary Faculty and then Guest Faculty, if any.
                                                          vi.      The teachers would conduct online classes form their respective departments as per the guidelines of MHA.
 
b.    For online teaching, a section would comprise maximum 80 students (PU Campus/Regional Centres/Colleges).
c.    In the bigger departments, where the above arrangement is not feasible, the Dean of the concerned faculty would be authorized to take the final decision regarding strength of the students.
d.    As far as affiliated colleges are concerned, the issue regarding size of a section be referred back to the College Committee for final decision.
e.    A nodal officer be designated in each department/affiliated College (course-wise) to address the grievances of students regarding online teaching.
f.    As infrastructure facilities for online teaching is a major issue, therefore, funds would be provided out of “Development Fund” created for providing infrastructural facilities like purchase and installation of minor equipment’s (mike, webcam etc.). The Chairperson/Heads must explore contingency grant for purchase of these equipment.
g.    Every teacher would mentor few students and would counsel them to resolve their issues..
h.    An undertaking, as per the approved format, would be obtained from each student that he/she will neither   record the lecture nor use at some other platform to avoid misuse of the online lecture.
 
5.    That result of all ongoing classes (UG/PG) be prepared taking together 50% of marks obtained in Internal Assessment and 50% marks obtained in all previous semester exams. This formula would also apply to Pre-Ph.D. course work.
 
a.    That the students of ongoing classes would be promoted provisionally and their admission to the next semester will be carried out.
 
6.    That for admission to B.Sc.(Hons) programme offered by various PU Science departments of Panjab University, where  admission is based on  Entrance Test in which a good number of applications along with examination fee have already been received, therefore, admission to these courses be made  on merit without conducting entrance test by converting examination fee into counselling fee.  It was unanimously decided that as far as UG courses are concerned, there would be no entrance test.
7.    As far as entrance test of Postgraduate courses offered by the PU is concerned, the decision may be kept pending till the result of UG courses (final year) is declared.
 
8.    That the Chairperson, USOL may be requested to send a proposal regarding method of promotion of students, examinations and admissions for the session 2020-2021.

9.     That the issue regarding conducting physical examination of final semester of UG/PG courses would and the issue of determining result of those students who were fail in first/second semesters would be discussed in the next meeting.