150 research scholars to return to hostels in Nov end

Around 150 research scholars of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) are expected to return back to their hostels in the last week of November when the varsity starts graded reopening, said a varsity official.

The Banaras Hindu University is closed since the last week of March this year when lockdown was imposed to check the spread of Covid-19.

“Preparations to open the university are underway as per guidelines of UGC while following the Covid-19 protocol. An SOP is being prepared for the safety of the students. Each student will be encouraged to wear mask and follow the measures to keep Covid-19 infection away,” Banaras Hindu University chief proctor Prof OP Rai said.

BHU public relation officer Dr Rajesh Singh said the decision was taken in a high-level meeting chaired by vice chancellor prof Rakesh Bhatnagar and attended by rector prof VK Shukla, registrar Dr Neeraj Tripathi, dean stuents Prof MK Singh, chief proctor Prof OP Rai, directors of various institutes, heads of departments, hostel administrators.

A senior Banaras Hindu University official, who didn’t wished to be named, said: “Initially, over 100 to 150 research scholars wanting to complete their work in laboratories will be asked to return to the hostels. Sanitization and cleanliness of all hostels will be done before Deepawali. A hostellevel committee has been constituted for making a standard operational procedure (SOP) to ensure safety of the students.”

Gradually, all the research scholars, who live in the hostel, will be asked to return. Thereafter

in next phase, final year students of post graduation, who live in hostels, will be asked to come back and then previous year.

Gradually, the process to start classes is likely to begin by end of December or first week of January, another senior official added.

Banaras Hindu University comprises 141 departments in 16 faculties and three institutes-Institute of Science, Institute of Medical Sciences and Institute of Agriculture Sciences and has over 32,000 students.

There are 84 hostels.