Vet Universities gearing for Tech innovation in Teaching to offset COVID19 impact

Pashu Sandesh, 18th June 2020

Owing to the COVID19 crises the Teaching institutions are facing an uphill task of keeping up with the professional education as all the Universities are closed and students are sitting at home. To comply with the Government order for the prevention of the COVID19 spread and make effective use of the Technology, GOI Department of Animal Husbandry has issued a letter to all the Vice-Chancellors of the Vet Universities. In a letter dated 17th June Government has issued an advisory for making suitable adjustments in the BVSc & AH course. The letter has also asked Veterinary Universities to chalk out their own plan of action taking into consideration the academic issues. The highlight of the letter as follows:

• The last date of admission to the BVSc & AH course in recognised Veterinary College is extended till 31st October.
• Veterinary University having constituent Veterinary College may engage their students through online teaching activities such as E lectures, Assignments etc.
• Practical classes to be emphasised once the Universities are open for physical classes.
• In connection with the requirement of 75% of the minimum attendance of a student, the period of Lockdown may be treated as deemed to be attended by all students.
• Veterinary Universities may conduct all internal assessments (40% weightage) as per the extant MSVE regulations either through viva-voce/assignments/ seminars either online/ offline prior to commencement of the annual examination. 
• Exams to be conducted maintaining strict social distancing. Any student missing the exams should be given the chance to undertake the exam as a leftover exam. 
• If conducting exams is not possible then the students should be registered for the next academic session and classes would be conducted for the next session. This promotion would be provisional subject to the successful completion of the previous examination in theory and practical as per the MSVE regulations. 

By issuing this advisory Government has put to rest the apprehensions of the thousands of the students. This advisory would ensure the continuation of the Veterinary education during this torrid times of COVID19 pandemic.