Universities in Tirupati turn abuzz as ‘excited’ students land on campuses

The universities in Tirupati bubbled with life this week, with students slowly, yet steadily, arriving into their respective campuses, after remaining deserted for a long time due to the lockdown necessitated by COVID-19. As the government eased the norms for physical attendance, offline mode of education is back again for most students, who are however required to follow the guidelines on wearing masks, washing hands often with sanitiser and maintaining physical distance to keep the virus at bay. Around 60-75% of students at Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS University) have reached the campus. The priority, however, is to allow only those whose presence is absolutely necessary. “We are allowing into the campus only those having practical sessions or examinations. The online format continues for those having theory classes”, SVIMS Director and Vice-Chancellor B. Vengamma told The Hindu. Though MBBS students have arrived at Sri Padmavathi Medical College for Women (SPMCW), the SVIMS College of Physiotherapy and College of Nursing are still on online mode. Shortage of hostel space is another handicap. “We are accommodating only two inmates in a room against the five in the past to ensure social distance, which has a telling effect on space”, Dr. Vengamma explained.