Purulia University becomes first to add coronavirus pandemic to syllabus

Setting a record, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University of West Bengal's Purulia has updated their syllabus for postgraduate level curriculum and added coronavirus pandemic to it

Team Newsable

Kolkata, First Published Apr 30, 2020, 3:30 PM IST | Last Updated Apr 30, 2020, 3:30 PM IST

Kolkata: The deadly coronavirus is showing no signs of slowing down in the country or across the world.

The nationwide lockdown has been extended till May 3 and the Modi-led government is mulling easing lockdown in some districts in the green zone. With institutions and classes going online, e-learning has become the new reality.

West Bengal's Purulia is one of the poorest districts in India. Yet, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University in the district has set an example in the country. Becoming the first university in the country, the management has added coronavirus pandemic into their postgraduate curriculum.

Deepak Kar, the vice chancellor of Sidu-Kanho-Birsa University, said, "The coronavirus epidemic has had a profound effect on the lives of individuals and communities around the world. Researchers as well as students need to study this. Therefore, COVID-19 has been included in our syllabus of sociology, economics, accounting, geography, political science and philosophy at the postgraduate level."

The issue will be studied through dissertation papers or projects. 50 marks will be allotted for coronavirus, he added.

The coronavirus has created economic crises just as it has created health crises around the world. Poverty and starvation has become rampant just like the deadly virus.

Students of the university have extended a helping hand to the needy across the district during this crisis time. They have provided food for the marginalised people of Shabar, Bedia, Mahali and other indigenous communities through the community kitchens. They have also donated Rs 10 lakh to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Food items and masks are also being distributed to the special abled students in the district. The idea of forming an 'Immune Village' to combat coronavirus also came from this educational institution.

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