DU goes for online classes, health insurance for students

The Dhaka University (DU) authorities have decided to arrange online classes during the coronavirus crisis and bring all students under health insurance coverage.

The decisions came from a meeting of Dean’s Committee, chaired by vice-chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman today at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate building, said a press release.

After discussing various issues to keep continue academic activities in this situation, the meeting requested all concerned to take initiative to conduct online education activities.

Deans and Directors of the faculties and institutes will coordinate the process and send requisitions to the university Registrar after verifying demands and deficits, it added.

The dean’s committee also suggested that it would be quick and easy to identify and determine the shortages and needs of the institution as well as the teacher-students by starting online activities as soon as possible despite having limited access.

However, no date has been mentioned about the start of the online classes, the release said.

Moreover, a six-member committee has been formed from the meeting headed by the Treasurer of DU Dr Kamal Uddin, to formulate policies to enable students receive medical services in different hospitals at a minimum insurance premium, said the press release.

The insurance will help gain Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and contribute to climb up in world rankings of universities, the meeting said.

The Dean’s committee asked the departments and institutes to prepare a database on how they can contribute to achieve 17goals and 169 targets of SDG and requested to submit those by June 30 to the DU Registrar Enamuzzman.

However, the academicians think that the number of fresher seats in the university should be determined by considering the capacity of the university, and national and international needs in order to improve the quality of education.

For this, Deans and Directors have been requested to send necessary information in this regard, including the recommendations of the faculties to the central authorities of the university.