PU to continue online classes

LAHORE: Punjab University has finalised a policy regarding online classes of the students in the prevailing situation. According to details in this regard, an online meeting of deans and heads of departments presided over by Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmad was held on Thursday.

PU spokesman Khurram Shahzad said as per HEC guidelines and on the recommendations made by deans of faculties and heads of departments, the PU administration made several decisions to minimise the time loss of the students. He added the online classes were mandatory and would be continued as per time-table issued by the relevant institute, centre or department. The spokesman said as per decision, the students would be provided with the syllabi of the subjects and relevant online books on top priority basis. He said course materials and recorded lectures would be mailed/emailed/uploaded through the relevant software to maximise the learning outcome of the students. He said the decision about assessment/examination (Mid/Final or Comprehensive exam) of theoretical subjects would be decided at an appropriate time when the situation got normalised.

However, Khurram Shahzad said, the assignments with maximum 30 percent weightage could be given to the students during online classes. He clarified that lab work/practical sessions with relevant module along with its exam would also be conducted when the situation got normalised.

He said genuine issues of those students who were unable to attend online classes, at all, would be offered on campus compensatory classes/summer camp or additional credits during the regular semester, when the situation normalised and PU would not charge any tuition fee for this.

He said all teachers, including visiting faculty, would keep record of students’ attendance. He said the Deans/HoDs would ensure the regularity of the online classes. He said summer vacation would be announced as per university schedule.