FINAL-YEAR EXAMS: UGC VICE-CHAIRMAN TO INTERVENE

PUNE :Vice-chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Dr Bhushan Patwardhan on Tuesday said he would work to settle the ongoing tussle between the Maharashtra government and UGC regarding final-year exams.

“I am aware of the serious situation, especially in Maharashtra, due to the increasing incidence of Covid-19. Health and safety of students are supreme for all of us. However, awarding degrees without final examinations is not acceptable academically. I am discussing different options with Maharashtra chancellor, vice-chancellors, and others from various universities in the state. I will try my best in a personal capacity to put up a case for Maharashtra before the Commission, to bring a mutually acceptable, sustainable solution. I hope these efforts will help to end the current impasse,” said Patwardhan, who was a biomedical researcher and professor of health sciences at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU).

On July 13, state higher education minister Uday Samant tweeted, “Today state disaster management authority meeting was held led by the chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and it was again decided not to take the final year exams despite getting guidelines from the UGC.”

Last month, the state decided to cancel final-year and semester exams of all universities due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra.

UGC later issued new guidelines, instructing universities to organise final-year exams before the end of September.