SILCHAR, March 15 - Following the Government�s order to shut down academic institutions in the state from March 16 as a preventive step in the wake of rapid escalation in cases of novel coronavirus (Covid-19), the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Silchar has decided to suspend academic activities till March 31.
Talking to The Assam Tribune today, Professor Ashim Roy, Registrar of the NIT said that a meeting regarding preventive steps to check the spread of the lethal disease was held at the institute in the presence of Director Professor Sibaji Bandopadhyay, all deans and HoDs and other concerned functionaries and it was decided that �classes, examinations and other academic activities shall be suspended with immediate effect till March 31. The hostels shall be closed and students in the UG, PG, PhD and project staff were instructed to leave the campus immediately. The foreign students and scholars were asked to report to the Dean, Students Welfare on Monday.�
The Registrar further informed that as for students coming from far-away places in the country, the institute has written to the DGM NF Railways at Maligaon to extend cooperation and facilitate additional coaches on the trains plying from Silchar to other parts of the state and the country. Also, if need be, the institute shall try to facilitate air travel for the students, he added.
�We understand the prevailing condition in the country following the outbreak of Covid-19. We are complying with the order issued by the State Government. However, our administrative activities shall remain uninterrupted and students have been asked to visit the institute�s website for further updates,� the Registrar maintained.
On the other hand, Dr PK Nath, Registrar in-charge of Assam University Silchar informed that even as they are yet to receive official communique on the move to suspend academic activities, the university authority will hold a meeting with the stakeholders on Monday to decide further steps on the issue.
�We have not yet received any official order on suspending classes and examinations or closing down the varsity on account of preventive steps to check Covid-19. However, there will be a meeting on Monday with all the stakeholders and we shall decide accordingly. Once we receive Government instructions, the same shall be duly complied with,� Dr Nath said.
He added that several activities have been undertaken by the varsity authority to contain spread of the disease.
Samina Yasmin Ara, Inspector of Schools, Cachar said she was still awaiting official order, which would be followed accordingly. NN Tagore, Chairman of Silchar Municipal Board also said that official order on closure of the Government-run Goldighi Municipal Shopping Mall here was yet to be received.
Meanwhile, the buzz around closure of schools, colleges and universities owing to the rise of Covid-19 cases has triggered confusion and queries among sections of the masses, parents and guardians in particular, especially during the ongoing examinations.
