KOLKATA: Even as colleges and universities plan to call students from more semesters and subjects for in-person classes, they have started strengthening safety and healthcare measures on their campuses, including setting up of dedicated cells to tackle Covid among students and staff and keeping ambulances ready.
While most institutes have decided to continue temperature check at the entrance, many have arranged for doctors on the premises and setting up of isolation facilities. Some colleges have formed committees, comprising professors and HoDs, who will submit a daily health report of students.
So far, most institutes had called only the outgoing batches and students with lab-based subjects to campuses. But they have now decided to call more students. At Jadavpur University, BEd and UG1 and PG1 of sociology will attend in-person classes from today. Several others will go to the campus latest by early January. As a precaution, JU authorities have appointed doctors on both its Jadavpur and Salt Lake campuses. One doctor will be available on the premises on weekends to help out boarders. The university has one ambulance and it is planning to procure two more, one of which will be for Salt Lake. “We are following all the government-recommended guidelines and incorporating some measures on our own so that when more students come i, there should not be any problem,” said an official.
St Xavier’s College officials have arranged for doctors, along with para medical staff, to be present on the campus round the clock. An ambulance has been kept on standby. “Anyone entering the campus is scanned for temperature. It is mandatory for everyone to follow all the protocols,” said principal Fr Dominic Savio.
At Maulana Azad College, physical classes for UG 1 and PG 1 of all subjects will start today. The college has set up a Covid cell, which students can approach if feeling unwell. “We have formed committees that are giving feedback on in-person class progress. We have tied up with doctors,” said principal Subhasis Dutta.
At Scottish Church, doctors will be available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. “We have issued a safety advisory for all,” said principal Madhumanjari Mandal.
