Page 40 - Issue 01

The other important issue was about being able to IGIDR being a residential campus, had an
function normally. There were two dimensions: i) additional responsibility to take care of the
the Institution's smooth functioning and ii) campus community. Institute appointed a COVID-

continued teaching & research work. It is highly 19 task action force committee chaired by our
laudable that both academic and non-academic Director. The committee had a very tough task to
employees played a crucial role in ensuring the ensure the safety, security protocols etc., of he
smooth functioning of the Institute. We already campus community. The UGC and other
had some digital and online systems in place. regulatory bodies too played a very proactive role
However, the COVID-19 has pushed us to use these in providing the relevant guidelines to the HEIs

systems proactively. from time to time.

The moment students reached home, the focus The management of the IGIDR, faculty, non-
shifted from planning to explore online teaching academic staff, and other support teams, played a
and giving remote access to the library resources very pro-active role in ensuring the smooth
and other study materials. Few HEIs had to face functioning of the Institute. Every employee got
challenges for enabling online education. involved in the mission of smooth functioning of

Challenges also involved encouraging employees the Institute. All these events involved meticulous
and students to get conversant with the online planning, swift action from the top
systems such as computer systems at home, the management/authorities, hard work and
software required to get connectivity, etc. dedication from both the academic and non-
academic sides. Our staff members, including the

We started deliberations on dealing with those Administration, Accounts, Estate, Library,
students not having access to the internet facility Students Office, and particularly the IT team
in some remote places. IGIDR tried to support such members, had to work very hard to ensure
students with additional facilities. Accordingly, the seamless support. In normal conditions, the
concerns of the students were addressed in the employees of the HEIs are expected to work for
best possible way in a short time. We provided eight hours a day. However, there were no such
needy students with laptops/digital gadgets on a limits during the pandemic crisis, and the

loan basis. We supported our faculty members to employees had to stretch beyond regular duty
upgrade their teaching aids. We also temporarily hours, including the weekends and the holidays.
provided our staff with laptops/desktops, enabling
them to work from home and even reimbursing
their cost towards internet connectivity.

We initiated various academic events and large conferences during 2020-21. In normal circumstances
organising an event involves a lot of effort. Even though it has several benefits, the physical organisation of
an event has particular challenges of ensuring adequate attendance and substantial financial commitments,
"There's nothing quite like feasting on delicious food and drinking
etc. However, during the COVID-19 time, we could organise academic events very efficiently in the online
mode. The online way also improved the quality of attendance drastically. People participated not only
good wine with your family and friends." organised the academic
from India but from different parts of the world too. Likewise, several HEIs
programs online during the pandemic times. The attendance of the quality people also gave a significant
boost to the brand building of the HEIs.

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