UGC advises to reduce time of academic year to recover loss of higher education

The Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) has formulated a 'recovery guideline' to compensate the loss of the university students caused due to the Corona pandemic.

The guideline recommends six issues, including reducing the time of the academic year, canceling various types of leave, and completing the entire syllabus.

A press release of the commission signed by UGC secretary (additional responsibilities) Dr Ferdous Zaman on Tuesday said the guideline has been sent to the Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of all public universities.

On May 31, an exchange of views with the Ministry of Education, UGC and the Vice-Chancellors on the opening of public universities decided to formulate a recovery guideline according to the capacity and realities of the university. 

Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, MP chaired the virtual meeting attended by Deputy Minister of Education Mahibul Hasan Chaudhuri, UGC Chairman Prof Dr Kazi Shahidullah.

The guidelines call for reducing the time of the university's conventional academic calendar 'significantly and acceptably'.

In addition, it has been suggested to reduce or cancel various leave to complete classes, class tests, assignments, quizzes, final examinations in all subjects including practical in less time than usual.

In addition, universities will be able to rethink assessment methods such as class tests, quizzes, midterm exams, assignments, and term papers in order to reduce the academic calendar time.

Theoretical and practical class time will remain the same as before. Although it is necessary to reduce the number of lectures, the entire syllabus has to be completed.

In case of final examination, the universities will be able to reduce the preparatory leave for examinations, leave between two examinations and leave between two years or semesters.

The UGC has asked the universities to publish the academic calendar of the students at the beginning of the academic year and publish it on the website after the Academic Council approves the recovery plan.