Odisha Shuts All Technical Institutes, Engineering Colleges; Exams To Be Held Online

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Skill Development and Technical Education Department on Friday ordered closure of all Technical Universities, Engineering and Professional Colleges, Polytechnics, Diploma Institutions and ITIs under its jurisdiction in view of resurgence of Covid-19.

The institutions will remain closed from April 19 until further orders. The classes and examinations for all courses will be conducted online, the department said in a letter.

“The Authorities of Schools/ Colleges/ Higher Technical Educational Institutions shall take all appropriate measures for conducting classes through online mode to complete the syllabus in time,” the letter read.

All hostels and residential accommodations of Technical Educational Institutions will remain closed from April 19 and institute authorities have been asked to motivate students not to stay in the hostel in the interest of their personal health.

However, scholars, researchers and students who desire to stay in hostel for research/project works or other academic activities will be allowed for the same upon giving undertaking and subject to approval by appropriate authorities of the concerned institutions.

The department has already issued instruction for conducting online examination for all technical/professional courses under BPUT/ VSSUT/ SCTE&W.

Further, the concerned institutions will function with 50% strength of employees with effect from April 19 until further orders.

“Teachers shall conduct online classes from their concerned institutions as well as from their home depending on the roster arrangement. The teaching and non-teaching employee, when not on roster duty shall work from home and should be readily available at Headquarter for any urgent work, if called for by the concerned authority,” the department said.

“Other COVID preventive protocols issued by the Special Relief Commissioner should be strictly adhered to,” it added.