Panjab University allows more research scholars in hostels

The varsity is reopening its hostels in a phased manner; students have to get tested for Covid-19 a week prior to returning

Panjab University has allowed the research scholars who were enrolled till March 5 this year to avail hostel accommodation on the campus.

The recommendation was made by a PU panel during a meeting held last week. (HT file photo)

The recommendation for this was made by a PU panel during a meeting held last week which has been approved by vice-chancellor Raj Kumar.

The varsity is reopening its hostels on campus in a phased manner and an 11-member committee has already been constituted by PU to make recommendations.

So far, the varsity has allowed research scholars and MPhil students to return to hostels. Also, the final-year students of various courses, which come under different regulatory bodies, including master of dental surgery (MDS), MPharma, nuclear medicine and medical physics, have been allowed to stay in hostels.

After students submitted several representations, the matter was again taken up by the panel last Friday and they had recommended that research scholars who enrolled March 23, 2020 onwards should be given hostel accommodation.

Based on the recommendation made by the panel, the varsity has allowed all MDS students of its Dr Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Science and Hospital to avail hostel accommodation. Till now, only final year students of the course were allowed to stay in hostels.

Besides this, PU has also allowed all final-year postgraduation students, who are in final semester and require laboratory work to complete their dissertation, to stay in hostels.

Guidelines for students

However, to avail the hostel accommodation, a student has to get a test done for Covid-19 a week prior to the joining and undertaking will have to be submitted by residents to the hostel warden forwarded by the chairperson of the department that they will follow all necessary standard operating procedures (SOPs) to avoid spread of infection.

The students have been advised to go through the SOPs already issued by the varsity. Moreover, guests and visitors’ entry is not allowed in hostels till further orders. For the time being, the facilities of shops will not be provided.