NIT Tiruchy Director responds to student protests: Senate has asked us to conduct exams, I can't do much

After several students of National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli (NIT-T) complained that online exams were discriminatory as  them many didn't have access to the required gadgets or internet connectivity, we got in touch with Director of NIT-T, Dr Mini Shaji Thomas to ask her what they're doing to address the student's concerns. 

Dr Mini Shaji Thomas says, "It is only a small section of students that are creating trouble as they don't want to write the exams. We have given them the option to write the exams when they come back to campus, whenever it is possible, if they are absolutely unable to appear for it now. But a large section of students and parents want to get this semester to end and a new one to begin." NIT-T had earlier conducted online exams for final semester students, which went really well, the Director says. "Around 60% of the syllabus was covered before the lockdown and an internal assessment was also conducted. We have decided to just give 30% weightage to the finals exams in the overall assessment," she adds. 

Thomas says that videos of classes were uploaded on their online portal and every faculty was asked to record videos and upload it. "We have uploaded recorded videos that students can watch at their own convenience. There wasn't a fixed time table. Live classes for clearing doubts were held for three weeks in June," she says. About the student's concern about not having gadgets, Thomas says, "It is their responsibility to procure it. The government won't provide it. We have a student aid fund which can be used to help students procure the gadgets for the time-being. But we haven't had any requests regarding it."

"We have debated during the Senate sessions whether or not to conduct exams. The Senate has decided to go ahead with the exams and I can't do much else. Only if the Ministry asks us to cancel exams can we do so," Thomas adds, "We don't want to harm anyone. The exams are still a month away and if the situation is still very bad then, we have to rethink what to do."