We, the students of Gujarat Technological University (GTU), want exams to be shifted online due to several valid reasons, along with possible solutions that can help prevent exams to be conducted offline in exam centers. 

Agenda: To Prevent The Spread Of COVID-19 by Taking Exams Online Instead of Exam Centers (Because it's Possible)

Solutions:

1. Exams can be conducted online like they were done for the passing out batch 2019-20 with proper online infrastructure built for each & every semester exams this year.

2. The students from remote/rural areas can manage to give exams from any place with a better internet connection
or
if students lack PC/internet facilities, their respective colleges should provide their labs to be used as the student himself/herself would have paid fees for. Thus creating a smaller number of students at these colleges (only the ones who have no other choice but to go to the college to access the interent and PC) 

Reasons for NOT Conducting Exams Offline:

1. As the classes were online, the level of online teaching isn't at par with what used to be for offline exams. (like it used to in the pre-pandemic era)

2. The currently provided instructions depict exam centers only in Gujarat, to which several students from outside Gujarat have raised objections.

3. It is mentioned in the instructions for Exam form filling, that "Exam centers will be allocated based on first come first serve basis", that means most colleges close to city areas will be provided to those who pay first.

Now that seems a bit unfair, as this isn't an auction for tickets of a good spot in theater, but an exam for which each and every student will be paying an equal amount. Hence, convenience and safety shouldn't be at stake of preferential priority (or even capital/money).

4. Coronavirus isn't dead yet nor is its vaccines available at the grocery store. Jokes apart, we shouldn't be over-confident at the current lower mortality rates or even the number of cases that are being shown as the original numbers might vary significantly (Check this video for more info) 

This isn't the fear of COVID talking but mere logic and fact-based learning from what is the current state of the world during this pandemic.

We are not saying to stop living our lives, but just to be as cautious as we were during the times of banging plates at 5 pm or lighting diyas at 9. Because all it (COVID) needs for the second wave is a bit of leeway, which we might give by conducting exams in exam centers.

Thus, the possible exchange of viruses can take place from students coming from varied locations to a college/exam center and they can even carry it (virus) home to their loved ones.

Students' and their families' lives are more important than an exam.

And this request comes at a time when cautionary notes are being played on radios, TV, and caller tunes that we shouldn't leave the house until it's extremely necessary. We're not saying that exams aren't necessary, but what we're trying to say is exams can be done in a way that the question of virus transmission can be eradicated completely and exams can be conducted safely online if the right methods are applied to build the required infrastructure.

This one decision can prevent the spread of the virus and potential positive cases. So please consider supporting us in this decision.

Dear, Technological University, this is the right time to leverage the technology.

The above discussed are just a few problems and solutions. But if the university, wishes to co-ordinate with a problem solving approach we can possibly provide even more solutions. So, let's not stop the digitalization only to form filling up procedures :) Go #DigitalIndia!

Thanking you...

Yours Faithfully
Students of GTU.

(P.S. this isn't an ad for the channel Abhi and Niyu. But they have really inspired us to bring up the facts with solutions and their videos highlight the same in a simple yet efficient manner.

So, Students make your voices be heard! Spread the word with #MakeGTUDigital)