New Delhi, April, 2020: To minimize disruption inthe course schedule,Sharda University, one of the largest State Private Universities in North India with 63 acres of sprawling campus, continues to deliveronline classes across all the courses. Due to the lockdown given the COVID-19 outbreak, Sharda University has taken this initiative to ensure that the students’ academic interests aren’t compromised and there is continuity in teaching-learning process.

The University has put together a contingency plan in which the faculty and staff are working towards ensuring a seamless transformation to digital/online learning via technology tools and solutions like Zoom, Big Blue Button, Google Classroom. The iCloud LMS software that the University subscribes is cloud based and highly advanced. Coursera and Swayam are some of the technologies used by the students of School of Design and planning for making their assignments. Teachers and students have access to this software from wherever they are but for students who are in remote areas, teachers are helping them through email, WhatsApp orsimply providing an audio lecture for students who do not have high speed internet facilities. Teachers are also providing them with class-notes and assignments with solutions etc. Students and faculty access library from anywhere as University library is made remote login enabled.

Mr. Y K Gupta, Pro Chancellor, Sharda University said, “Online learning, has a lot of potential and even though it has been thrust intothe spotlight under unfortunate circumstances it is time that Universities and educational institutions utilize this tool effectively.Our aim is to keep a strict schedule in place so that students are able to complete their courses and projects as per schedule.We are also focusing on the admission procedures through online counsellors so that no student aspiring for a better future is left behind due to the COVID-19 crisis.”

Lots of international students are staying in hostels at the University campus as it would have been impossible for them under the circumstances to leave hostel and travel home. The University has made all the necessary arrangements and taken necessary precautions and contingency measures to ensure safety and well-being of both Indian and international students hostelers.

The students and staff are being educated to ensure that we meet the Government norms of social distancing.Each student has been assigned a single room and the entire campus including hostels is being sanitized regularly as per guidelines issued by UGC. Students in the hostel are being provided with Wi-Fi to allow online access to library resources and aiding them to keep in touch with their family and friends. 

Further emphasising on the health precautionary steps that the university authorities are taking, Mr. Gupta said, “With a fully functioning mess, healthy and hygienically cooked food for all students in the hostel, we make sure that no one is moving out of the campus and taking all precautionary majors to keep them safe and healthy. The hostels are well stocked with all the necessary supplies and medical facilities. We are also providing regular advocacy and information to the students to help them stay informed and aware.”