Mr Alok Kumar, the secretary to Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, announced that the concerned authorities are currently, looking to finalise the modalities of conducting online exams for final-year technical students. He announced the same via his official Twitter account yesterday, June 06, 2021. The UP technical education department is overlooking the online exam process at three technical universities. These include Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU) and Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology (MMMUT).
According to Mr. Kumar, the technical education department shall be conducting online exams for final-year students of the above-mentioned universities. This will be followed by exams for other batches. He also answered various other queries regarding the online exams, touching upon subjects such as internet connectivity, preparation time, problems regarding online classes, etc.
One of the queries asked was related to the feasibility of online exams in view of poor internet issues faced by students. 90% of these students live in villages. Kumar responded by stating that these online exams do not require very high connectivity. However, authorities are still considering this issue. One of the solutions to tackle this problem is to visit the nearest common service centre to give the online exams.
When asked about the paper pattern for the online exams, the secretary responded that the paper pattern is yet to be finalised. However, given the mode of exams, it will most likely be objective-type. At the same time, he advised to students to continue their preparation for the exams. The education department is likely to finalise the aspects of the online exam soon. Subsequently, students shall be informed about the same.
Mr. Kumar also shed light on the first-year university exams. According to him, the technical education department is yet to take a decision on the first-year exams. In case the final-year exams go well, first-year students may also have to appear for the exams. However, as of now, more attention is being given to the final-year students and subsequently, be diverted to other years.
Apart from Mr. Kumar, Prof. Vinay Kumar Pathak, the Vice-Chancellor of HBTU also commented on the issue. According to him, artificial intelligence (AI) and learning-based online platforms have to be used to conduct online university exams. Currently, national-level entrance exams such as CAT and JEE Main are being conducted through controlled proctoring. This means that students are required to give them exam at allotted centres.
Under the current circumstances of COVID19, students are putting up at far-off locations. Thus, the only way to conduct exams is through the online mode. Moreover, it must be proctored to maintain the sanctity of the exams. Various software are also available in the country and abroad to achieve this, the professor stated.
The vice-chancellor of HBTU along with heads of various other institutes had met on June 04, 2021, to discuss the possibility of online exams. Even the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh had conducted a meeting with the concerned officials to discuss this issue. More clarity and exam details are expected to come out soon.
