75,000 students appear for blended mode PU examination

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 17

As many as 75,000 students of undergraduate, postgraduate and other professional courses, including USOL/Private, appeared in Panjab University's first ever blended (online/offline) examination that started today.

A total of 47 examinations were conducted on Day 1. These examinations were conducted in three slots — 9am to 11 am, 10 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm.

All colleges/departments downloaded the question papers as per the scheduled time from the website and through official email IDs provided to them. The question papers were then further distributed to students through various electronic modes.

Prof Parvinder Singh, Controller of Examination, and his technical staff maintained that the examinations were conducted smoothly. He further informed that queries of Principals/Chief Coordinators/Chairpersons were resolved by the COE.

An emergency packet of question papers was also made available in the 40 nodal centres in various affiliated colleges of PU, he informed.

He further informed that as many as 86,616 students will be taking various exams being conducted by PU over the span of 17 days.

 Scanned copy received

The Controller Examination, meanwhile, confirmed that majority of the answers sheets were received and were downloaded for evolution process by the respective teachers. “We have got almost all the scanned answers sheets from regular as well as private students. There have been some cases, where the exam was held from 2pm to 4pm and the private students were allowed to send the answers sheet next day as the postal service get shuts at that time. The teachers had downloaded the answers sheet to start the evaluation process as per set guidelines. Overall the process went smoothly,” said Parvinder Singh.

Earlier, PU Vice Chancellor Prof Raj Kumar visited the examination branch and was also connected to the staff of the Controller of Examination for a smooth conduct of examinations. “The VC visited our High-Tech Online Exam Control Room. We have been working day and night to make this thing happen. The major concern was handing the website’s load, which we planned to distribute through three channels, however Prof Kumar asked us to use more systems for a smooth flow of traffic. He was in constant touch with the technical team,” added Parvinder.

Questions papers uploaded by 8.20am

The question papers were uploaded between 8.20am and 8.30am. These were further downloaded by the nodal officers and were distributed before 9.10am, informed Parvinder. On Friday, a total of 69 examinations will be conducted. “Being a common subject, today’s English exam was expected to be a challenge for us. We will continue the same practice in coming days,” said Parvinder.

Easy examinations

   Meanwhile, some students said the exam was easy and was uploaded on time. “The examination was easy and the new pattern, wherein a minimum of 50 percent questions were to be attempted, also helped to finish the examination on time. The confirmation of receipt of answer sheet was also received on time. It was good experience to appear in such kind of examination,” said Aditya, a student. The students of far- flung areas also took the examination. “The exam was easy and was uploaded on time. The internet connection in our area (Spiti) was a bit low. However, I managed to upload the answer sheets on time,” said Tenzin, another student.