On-campus activities at the University of Balochistan have been suspended for an indefinite period with classes moving online, according to a notification issued by its registrar on Tuesday.
The notification, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com does not cite a reason for the decision.
“Following thorough deliberation, it has been resolved that the University of Balochistan, including all campuses, will switch their academic activities from in-person to virtual learning with immediate effect and until further orders,” the notification said.
It added that deans and directors were directed to submit weekly performance reports to the Registrar’s Office and university staff are instructed to report to their offices as usual.
University of Balochistan Vice Chancellor Zahoor Ahmad Bazai told Dawn.com that news on social media about the institue’s closure was “baseless”.
He said the university opened this month and classes were also being held, however, due to the closure of national highways, students from the province’s remote areas were unable to reach the campuses, because of which the administration decided to begin online classes.
“Because we are trying to ensure that there is no injustice against the students and they can complete their education,” he said.
He said that this virtual classes experiment was first carried out at the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences and the Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University, adding that the teaching process in both institutes was proceeding smoothly.
“Keeping that in mind, the administration of the University of Balochistan also decided to move to online classes.”
Bazai said that students from areas where there was a problem with internet access would be provided concessions during the semester, while the decision on online classes would be taken by Eidul Fitr. “As soon as the issue of sit-ins and closure on national highways is resolved, the University of Balochistan will resume its work in normal conditions. We will do it because our aim is to provide education to children,” the vice chancellor said.
