The University of Dhaka remains closed over 15 months since the Covid-19 pandemic hit Bangladesh and the situation is getting worse day by day. The university moved academic activities online but for different limitations, online learning has not proved effective as ‘expected’.
Amid the student’s long demand to take their final exams, the Dhaka University (DU) authorities have decided to hold in-person final examinations of all academic years from July if the Covid-19 situation in the country remains under control. If not, the examinations will be held online.
Authorities in confusion
After the DU authorities decided to take exams, some departments and institutions fixed the date but as the Covid situation is worsening day by day, uncertainty looms again over holding the exams.
Like other departments, the department of accounting and information system and philosophy department had announced in-person exam schedules but postponed them later. Psychology and leather engineering departments prolonged the online exam dates. Institute of Education and Research fixed 7 July for in-person final exams but later moved the date to August.
Students are worried over such uncertainty. Tanvir Ahmed Fahad, a student of the Philosophy department, said, “Most departments postponed exam schedules and some departments like Persian Language and Literature are taking their exams. In such a situation, we’re in uncertainty whether our exams will be held or not. If the exams are held, we'll have to manage accommodations in the city to stay for some days as the dormitories will not reopen.
“Many students come to Dhaka and rent for off-campus accommodations in the city but they are not sure what to do amid the uncertainty,” he added.
Deans and chairs of different departments said they were instructed to take exams and they will do so. The decision depends on the academic council and the vice chancellor.
Asked about residential facilities for students, deans said, “It depends on the authority.”
Contacted, dean of the Social Sciences Faculty Dr Sadeka Halim told UNB, “In a recent meeting with all chairs of 16 departments under my faculty, 10 departments said they will take in-person offline exams and the rest of them decided to take exams online. The situation is uncertain and we’ll have to take further decisions considering the pandemic situation.”
Also read: Dhaka University unveils grand plans for centenary celebrations
Asked about residential facilities for students, Dr. Sadeka Halim said, “It totally depends on the academic council and administration. We, the deans, told them to consider residential facilities for students. Otherwise, all students cannot attend in-person exams. A majority of the students, particularly those from far-flung areas of the country, just can't afford to pay rent for off-campus accommodations in the city. We told them and they (Provost standing committee, VC, Pro-VC) are responsible for taking decisions regarding this. We’ll do whatever they say.”
Asked if any student is unable to attend exams for valid reasons, Prof Sadeka Halim said, “It depends on faculties and institutions. The Social Sciences Faculty will consider later if anyone fails to attend the in-person exams.”
DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Prof Maksud Kamal said, “All departments are independent when it comes to taking exams. We instructed them and they can take exams whether online or offline.”
DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Dr Abdus Samad said, “The situation is worse than before. Students shouldn’t come to the campus before they are vaccinated.”
Asked about online exams, Prof Samad said, “The majority of students can’t even join classes. Statistics show that only 55 percent of students cannot join their classes for various limitations. So, it’s illogical to take exams online while the majority of our students are out of the frame.”
Asked how exams will be taken amid the pandemic, Director of the Institute of Education and Research, Prof Dr Abdul Malek said, “We’ll follow the central decision of the university,”
Arts Faculty dean Prof Dr Abu Md Delower Hossain also said the same.
Engineering Faculty Dean Prof Dr Md Hasanuzzaman said, “The VC knows better whether the exams will be held or not amid the country’s worsening covid situation.”
Vice Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman said, “Exams will be taken as per our previous decision – either online or offline. If the pandemic worsens or a lockdown is imposed, then students shouldn’t be moved to Dhaka.”
He, however, declined to talk in detail over the phone as there is a chance of ‘misinterpretation’.
Online not a good option
All the educational institutions, including universities, suspended academic activities on March 15 last year to curb the spread of Covid-19. And later, the DU introduced online classes from the first week of July last following a directive of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
But for various limitations, the authorities were unable to ensure the participation of all students in online classes as many still face problems, including the lack of proper devices, cost of internet use and network problems in remote areas.
A study, conducted last year, showed that only 55.3% of the students from public and private universities have access to a laptop, PC, or a tablet to attend an online class. The most important factor for online classes is internet connectivity and the survey revealed that 55% of the students are not supported by proper internet connections to continue with online education.
Also read: TSC reconstruction: DU authorities seek opinion from teachers, students
