Pending exams, slowdown have HP students worried

SHIMLA : The Covid-19 pandemic has not only hit campus placements but also disrupted the academic schedule in Himachal Pradesh.

Suniel Kumar, the placement cell in-charge at the University Institute of Information Technology, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, says, “Normally, the placement process starts in August when students are in the seventh semester. Most of those offered jobs last year have not been able to join work yet.”

The eighth semester exams are also pending.

However, Dr Nitin Gupta, the training and placement officer at Shoolini University, Solan, said the institution starts its placement drives early so students had got job offers before the pandemic started. “Recruiters continued to engage with us online during the lockdown with minimal interruptions,” he said.

Amit Namta, the placement officer at AP Goyal University, Shimla, admitted that only preliminary interviews are being conducted.

Puneet Kumar, 20, a final semester student of electrical engineering at Government Polytechnic College, Kullu, said students are worried as companies are delaying job offers.

Mohan Singh, the father of a final year student of hotel management in Shimla, is equally concerned. “My son was to complete his graduation this year and we were hoping that he would get placed but with colleges closed, we can only hope for the best