Coronavirus Impact: UGC Issues Guidelines for Online Internships
UGC has issued new guidelines for universities to allow students to take up work from home internships. It has asked the universities to make sure that the students get proper guidance while opting for online internships.
UGC has asked all the universities across India to make the necessary arrangements for students to take up internships from home due to the COVID-19 lockdown which has been extended till May 17, 2020. This will help the students enhance their skills and gain some experience in the field of their choice so that they are prepared for the future once the lockdown is lifted. The internships will be carried out via digital modes to make sure that the students stay safe and don’t have to leave their homes.
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UGC issued this circular and sent it to the principals and VCs of various colleges and universities. This is in continuation to the letter released earlier which had information on examination guidelines and academic calendar.
UGC has also instructed the universities to delay the beginning date for the internship and to reduce the duration of the internship clubbing with assignments. The instructions are advisory in nature and the universities have the flexibility to plan their activities accordingly keeping in mind the safety of the students.
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UGC had also released exam guidelines earlier which stated that the terminal semester exams will be conducted in July and the intermediate semester students’ performance will be assessed on the basis of internal assessment of the current and the last semester. Exams will be held in July in the states where the COVID-19 situation stabilises. The colleges will begin classes in August for the current batch of students and in September, for the new batch of students.