The technical institutes across the State are reopening from Monday (August 9) after remaining out of bounds for the students for around six months due to Covid pandemic.
Authorities of all the institutes have made elaborate arrangements to begin physical classes for students in an infection-free environment with proper sanitisation of classrooms, labs and offices.
Students and staff have been asked to ensure complete vaccination before rejoining the classes. Strict orders have been issued to maintain appropriate Covid protocols like social distancing, wearing of masks during the teaching hours.
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"We are asking people who are coming to the institute to take double dose of Covid vaccine," said Yasobant Samal, Assistant Registrar, CV Raman Global University.
Likewise, students coming from outside of the country have been directed to undergo a thermal screening before entering the college. Those who have received double doses of Covid vaccines or have Covid negative report will be allowed to attend classes.
Meanwhile, excitement is slowly building up in the academic community of higher education institutes ahead of the reopening after a long hiatus.
"Offline classes are very interactive. I am quite thrilled on returning back to the colleges," reacts Safiq Mohammed, a student from Syria.
An anxious Diptirekha Sahoo, another student comments, "Offline classes are far better than the online classes. We are nervous because of the first experience. It is good."
The State has around 200 technical institutes offering courses like MBA, MCA, Pharmacy and engineering while the number of ITI and Diploma institutes are around 150.
It may be noted that the Technical Education department of Odisha has allowed the final year students only to attend the classes on a priority basis.
“Final year classes will resume tomorrow (Monday). We will decide later on the resumption of other classes,” said Technical Education Minister Premananda Nayak.