Cochin University takes the digital route amidst COVID-19 crisis

Cochin University of Science and Technology has determined to go for the digital route to carry its closing semester postgraduate exams to beat the potential delay in holding offline exams in view of the worsening pandemic state of affairs.

“We are planning to hold the final semester postgraduate exams online from next week onwards,” Vice-Chancellor K. N. Madhusoodanan informed The Puucho on Wednesday. The varsity had postponed its examinations after Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chancellor of the State universities, had requested the authorities to not maintain the offline exams following the second wave.

“The online exams for postgraduate courses would not be much of a logistical hurdle for us as there are only 15 to 20 students each in a batch. Students will submit their projects online. The viva-voce based on the projects will also be held on the online platform,” stated Prof. Madhusoodanan.

On whether or not the closing semester B. Tech exams may even be held on-line, the Vice-Chancellor stated {that a} choice could be taken by the finish of this month. “We will review the situation and take an appropriate decision. The students, especially from the north Indian States, had left the campus following the pandemic situation. The varsity may have to go for the online exam for the B. Tech students, if the situation does not improve,” he stated. About 2,500 college students are pursuing varied B. Tech programmes being provided by the varsity.

The varsity has postponed its Common Admission Test (CAT) for admission to numerous programmes, together with B. Tech programs scheduled earlier from June 12 to 14 in view of the pandemic situation. “We are now planning to hold it in the second week of July. Any decision would depend on the COVID situation close to that time,” stated Prof. Madhusoodanan.