Coronavirus: IUST, SKUAST closed; all academic, administrative activities suspended

Srinagar: Authorities at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora and Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Shalimar have ordered the closures of the varsities in view of outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease.

As per an order issued by Registrar IUST, Reyaz Rufai, the University has suspended all administrative and academic activities of all the campuses across the University including polytechnic college and nursing college till March 29. “However, employees associated with essential services including works, watch and ward wing shall discharge their duties as per requirement,” read the order.

The order further read that all employees, however, shall ensure that they are accessible through their mobile phones and shall report to their duties as and when required.

In a separate order issued by Registrar SKUAST, the varsity said that it has suspended all academic and administrative activities till March 31.

However, employees associated with essential services including electricity, water works, sanitation and hygiene, landscape maintenance, health care and protocol, watch wing have been asked to continue to report to their respective duties.

“In view of the closure of the financial year 2019-20, the employees associated with accounts and finance wing including office of Dean, directors, Registrar, ADRs and PCs of KVK of the University shall also continue to report to their duties,” the order read.

It further stated that all the examinations and interviews scheduled upto March 31 are postponed and new dates for deferred exams will be notified separately.

“All examinations and M.Sc , Ph.D viva voce examinations scheduled till March 31 are postponed and no outside expert be invited to the University up to March 31,” the order read.

All the officers of the University including heads of the divisions, faculties and colleges have been asked to ensure sanitation of their respective units immediately.

“Medical officer SKUAST who has been designated as nodal officer COVID-19 shall extend all kind of knowledge and advisory issued by the government for prevention of COVID-19 and shall coordinate with all the concerned with all the concerned units through sub nodal officers who will maintain close contact 24*7 with concerned units of university,” the order read.

The order further stated that the professor incharge of the University vehicle pool shall keep one University ambulance from Shalimar campus at the disposal of Chief Nodal Officer 24*7 to meet any exigency. “All employees however shall ensure that they are accessible through their mobile phones and shall provide home inputs and report to their duties as and when called for,” reads the order.