DU kicks off online open-book exams

While DU said the exams are ‘optional’, some students said they fear missing out on precious time in the event of a glitch during the online tests

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The DU admin said they can only arrange scribes for students in Delhi. I could not find anyone to help me write an exam here [in Bihar’s Rohtas district].

nNEWDELHI: From arranging power backup to borrowing mobile devices, from moving to relatives or friends’ houses to planning a visit to neighbourhood cyber cafes, students of Delhi University (DU) are taking several measures to appear for the online open-book exams (OBE), which will begin Monday as a one-time measure in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite opposition from students and teachers, the University will conduct the exams between August 10 and August 31 for 240,000 final year students, including those enrolled with the School of Open Learning (SOL) and Non-collegiate Women’s Education Board (NCWEB).

DU on Friday got the green signal from the Delhi high court to conduct the online tests.

Amal K Simon, a final-year student of Ramjas College, said he and his friends are stuck in parts of rain-hit districts in Kerala and have tried to make arrangements to ensure their exams are not hindered.

“Many of us have arranged power banks for mobile phones, because we face regular power cuts due to the rain. Many of my friends have moved to their relatives or friends’ houses in the city for better internet connectivity. I will go to my friend’s house on Monday morning because they have power backup and Wi-fi,” he said.

Upon the HC’S directions, the

University will give students four hours to complete the examination. Students will, within this time, have to download question papers, complete the test and scan and upload the answer scripts.

Students with disabilities will get two additional hours to complete the exam instead of one.

However, many students remain concerned over the feasibility of the exams.

Mohit (who goes by a single name), 21, a final-year BA (prog) student at SOL, said the poor internet connectivity at his Sangam Vihar home does not allow him to even upload and email answer scripts. “I do not have a laptop at home, so I will either go to a cyber cafe or borrow my neighbour’s laptop,” he said.

Hitesh Sharma, 20, a final-year student of BA (Hons) in Political Science at Rajdhani College, said he is stuck at his house in Jammu’s Kathua district. “We only get 2G connectivity here. It takes us so long to even download pictures on Whatsapp. How will I download the question paper and upload the answer scripts from here? My parents have not allowed me to go to the common service centre (CSC) due to the prevailing situation,” he said.

CSCS are facilities created under the ministry of electronics and information technology for users to access government services online.

Despite several attempts, DU dean of examination Vinay Gupta did not respond for comment.

A member of the University’s examination department, who asked not to be named, said, “The university is prepared for the smooth conduct of the online examinations. We have appointed nodal officers in all colleges who will assist students. Students can approach them for help throughout the exam. The colleges and departments also have their separate email IDS, on which students can directly send PDFS of their answer scripts. Additionally, in case students are unable to reach these officials, the university has also issued a centralised email ID to help them out.”