Impact of the Coronavirus on Higher Education

A Global Situation

The coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, China that occurred on 31 st December 2019 has spread to more than 200 other countries around the world. It has infected more than 7,23,500 people globally and resulted in the death of more than 32,500 people. Currently, the total number of reported cases in India stands at 1050 with 30 COVID-19 related deaths.

The echoing effect of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is evident in educational institutions throughout the world. Teachers and students in educational institutions throughout the world have been inconvenienced since schools, colleges, and Universities have been forced to suspend activities, close, and shut down after threats of the exponential increase in COVID- 19 cases.

At present, the principle of “social distancing” is being followed worldwide to stop the spread of COVID-19, an effort to help in the minimization of the transmission of the disease.

The Impact on MBA Colleges

MBA Colleges - both national and international, are closed to prevent the spread of the virus among students. Since colleges are areas of socializing, gathering, and interaction, this ensures containment of the coronavirus among vulnerable college students. Classes and examinations have been put on hold until further notice. Inter collegiate festivals, extra- curricular activities, field trips, industrial visits, and club activities have been suspended due to the increasing spread of COVID-19.

For students who live in on-campus hostels and PG accommodations, the current situation has become one of uncertainty and anxiety as they have been told to leave their accommodation and return to their hometown. With the increase in restrictions in travelling, this has become a major obstacle.

There is also excessive interruption in academics and teaching. However, with the advances in technology, continuous efforts are being made to maintain continuity in education through online and distance-learning education.

Effect on Tests and Examinations

All institution-level and public examinations have been cancelled because of the threat of the COVID-19. Previously scheduled examination timetables have been cancelled. The nationwide lockdown has also impacted the dates for registration and examination dates of multiple entrance examinations like NEET and GATE which are mandatory for various professional academic courses.

The lockdown has had an impact on the registration and examination dates of national entrance examinations like GATE, CAT, MAT, XAT, etc; state-level examinations like KCET, MAHACET, etc; and institution-level examinations like LPUNEST, NIPER JEE, BITSAT, SAAT, etc. that are mandatory for admission into various professional MBA courses.

This may lead to a clash of dates between various courses provided by different colleges before the beginning of the next academic year.

Paper Corrections and Evaluations

With the suspension of institution-level and public examinations, examination paper corrections and evaluations have also been suspended until further notice. This helps to ensure social distancing to curb the spread of the disease among evaluators and examiners while they interact with each other during the paper-correction process.

Will this change Future Admissions?

The lockdown and the effects of COVID-19 may impact a student’s decision to study in a particular area. Certain areas have had a tremendous number of coronavirus cases like China and Italy, and Maharashtra and Kerala. This may hinder a student’s choice and decision about selecting an MBA college in these areas because of the fear of re-occurrence.

Creating New Practices

Other innovative and new teaching methodologies are being practiced to ensure continuity in academics, education, and learning. Methods like home-schooling, online learning, and live television broadcasts have helped to ensure that there is a consistent continuity in learning. The use of 5G technology has been a huge boon in the development and enhancement of digitalization.

These modern advances and facilities help to promote learning in any place and at any time.

Conclusion

The sudden occurrence and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have taken the world by surprise and increased the load of the global education system. The suspension of classes and cancellation of examinations has affected the perfect planning of the education system BUT the use of online applications and facilities like webinars and 5G-enabled appliances have helped to bridge the devastating effects of the sudden coronavirus to ensure that there is no interruption in education and learning.