Rajshahi University and Jahangirnagar University to start online classes

CNI Desk: In JU, the decision of taking online class has been taken at a meeting held on Tuesday, confirmed Pro VC Amir Hossain

The authorities of Rajshahi University (RU) and Jahangirnagar University (JU) have decided to start online classes from Thursday and July 12 respectively.

The decisions were taken at separate virtual meetings chaired by the vice chancellors of the universities.

The meetings were attended by chairmans of departments, deans of the faculties of the universities and other teachers.

In RU, talking with teachers from the university, this correspondent found that except one or two, most of the departments are not capable of taking online classes.

Professor Babul Islam, director of the university's Information and Commnication Technology (ICT) centre in RU, on Wenesday said: "The classes will be video based. When, how and how many classes will be taken each day will be decided by the departments’ chairpersons and teachers. Those who have prepared will start from tomorrow (Thursday). The rest will start soon after taking preparations."

Abdullah Al Mamun, chairman of Mass Communication and Journalism Department in RU, said: "No department has preparation for taking online classes in a sense. The classes will be taken informally, based on the department's capability. But formal classes will begin soon after preparation.”

"The purpose of these classes is to keep students in the habit of studying. Many students won't be able to join as internet speed is not the same in every place. There won't be any examinations or attendance recording," added Prof Mamun.

In JU, the decision of taking online class has been taken at a meeting held on Tuesday, confirmed Pro VC Amir Hossain.

A technical committee was also formed headed by Professor Dr. Ajit Kumar Majumder, Dean, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics to supervise online classes.

The meeting also decided not to include attendance marks for online classes and not to take online tests.

Besides, students who are unable to attend online classes due to internet problems, video lessons would be made available to them by e-mail or otherwise.

Earlier on June 25 , the University Grants Commission (UGC) decided to take online classes at public universities in the country after a meeting with vice-chancellors of universities.