The board of Jamia Millia Islamia University is in talks to reopen the university in phases. The final reopening date will be announced by the varsity after an administrative meeting scheduled for February 14.
Speaking to biharengineering.in, the university’s chief proctor Waseem Ahmad Khan said the university has made all necessary arrangements for the reopening of the campus and that a final date is likely to be announced next week.
“Because the university had been closed to students for the past two years, new tenders had to be launched for canteen, hostel and other facilities. All proceedings are underway and a decision will be made taking into account the safety of more than 25,000 students enrolled at the varsity,” Khan said.
“In the first phase, as the rector says, PhD students who are in their final year, physiotherapy, dentistry and final-year students are given priority. The library facilities will also be operational by department,” Khan added.
Talking about the students’ recent protests for the reopening of the varsity campus, Khan said that while some students have protested to resume offline classes, others argue that the current semester should be completed in online mode.
“I have received several email requests from students who insist that the campus not reopen in the middle of a current semester. While some students cite academic reasons, others present financial instability for returning to campus,” Khan said.
Mohsin Alam, a student of Jamia Millia Islamia, said the university should give them plenty of time to make arrangements to return to campus. “The varsity should take into account that most of the enrolled students come from different parts of the country. We need to arrange travel to get back to campus. A marginal time should be allowed to make the necessary arrangements,” emphasized Alam.
