Universities plan to move classes online if coronavirus breaks out

Public and private universities have planned to conduct classes online amid the fear of the novel coronavirus outbreak as three people were infected with the virus yesterday.

A good number of universities held meetings on their respective campuses to discuss measures to fight the possible outbreak of coronavirus. 

Daffodil International University (DIU) will not stop its academic activities and is ready to continue classes online.

Professor Engineer AKM Fazlul Hoque, registrar of DIU, told The Business Standard that they have all technological supports to move classes online in case of an emergency.

"Bangladesh has entered the list of the coronavirus-infected countries. We will run classes online if the number of infected people rises," he said. 

Over 40 lakh students study in public universities and their affiliated institutions, and over 3.5 lakh are in private universities.

Education of about five crore students from the primary level to the higher secondary level will be impacted if the coronavirus breaks out in the country.

Due to coronavirus, 13 countries have shut down schools that impacted almost 290 million children and youths who would normally attend pre-primary to upper-secondary classes.

Professor Dr Chowdhury Mofizur Rahman, vice chancellor of United International University, told this correspondent that the university has already sent text messages to their students about the possible coronavirus attack and their initiatives to face it.

Meanwhile, DIU has sent a directive to its teachers saying "Please plan and take immediate steps to prepare online activities and feedback mechanisms for your lessons so that, in case of any alarming situation, you take classes online. You may also begin practising online classes with your students so that they know what to do in an emergency."

Dhaka University authorities held a meeting yesterday and took some cautionary measures for its teachers and students. The university will distribute leaflets among students for making them aware of the possible coronavirus infection. 

DU VC Professor Dr Akhtaruzzaman told The Business Standard that the country's people and students should not panic. 

"Many students do not know how to prevent the coronavirus and keep themselves safe. Firstly, we will make them aware of the matter," he said.

"Many departments have capacities to take classes online. We will also take that initiative if necessary," the VC said. 

Prof Dr Abdur Rab, vice chancellor of international University of Business Agriculture and Technology, said, "We have arranged a seminar on coronavirus and taught the students how to face it. Teachers and the students have also agreed to continue classes online."

"Distance education is only way if the coronavirus breaks out in the country," he said.