IIIT Monsoon Semester Online

July 3rd, 2020: In an email sent at around 8 P.M today, the Dean (Academics) confirmed that the Monsoon semester would be an online-only semester, due to the prevalence of COVID-19 and its continued spread. Classes would be held from the 10th of August to the “end of November”. There will be no increase in the Academic fee this year, but students may still have to pay the Hostel and Mess charges.

Along with the new dates, the email announced that changes were being made to accommodate for the online method of teaching/learning, including changes to course offerings, the timetable, and teaching methods; also adding that students would need to pre-register for bouquet core and HSME electives well before the 10th of August. More details and an updated almanac are to follow soon. 

The Institute has also decided against raising the Academic fee for the year in view of the economic downturn. More details will be offered next week. It is not entirely clear if students will have to pay the hostel and mess fees — although most students are not staying on campus and availing the facilities, the Institute has committed to “continuing to fully support the staff who are employed to run and maintain hostels and mess”. Full details are not available, and the email adds that students will be informed of what role they will have to play in this matter.

The mail from the dean:

“Dear students,

At IIITH, we have been seriously contemplating the road ahead for the monsoon semester. I am sure all of you and we faculty and staff would be very happy to return to a normal semester in Monsoon 2020, with all of you back on campus. However, the prevalence of COVID-19 and its spread is not encouraging. Hence, in view of your safety we have decide that the monsoon 2020 semester will be completely online.

Classes will start on 10 August 2020 and end tentatively by end of November 2020.

Changes are being made to academics in multiple ways in view of the online mode of teaching/learning. This includes change in some core course offering, timetable and the way courses will be taught. You will be asked to pre-register for bouquet core courses and HSME electives well before 10 August. Information on almanac and other details will be shared with you in due course of time.

In view of the economic downturn, the tuition fee is maintained at last academic year level. Official announcements about the deadlines for fee payment and course registration will be made next week.

Even though you will not be on campus, as a responsible and caring institute, we will be continuing to fully support the staff who are employed to run and maintain hostels and mess. The issue of how their salaries can be supported is being discussed and we will get back to you on what role you will be expected to play in this matter.

Stay safe with your family and continue being engaged with learning.

Jayanthi “