JnU Correspondent :
Students of diffrent departments Jagannath University (JnU) would be given University Grants Commission’s interest free loans for buying smartphone to take part in online education programmes amid COVID-19 pandemic within this month, Professor Dr. Nasir Uddin, director of JnU finance and account office confirmed the matter.
He said, several departments already have submitted final lists of students for the loans, checks would be provided to these departments within this month. Students of those departments are yet to apply would be given the loans afterwards if they apply accordingly.
Meanwhile, on 4 October of last year, UGC decided to provide interest free loans to 41,501 insolvent students of thirty-nine public universities of the country for ensuring their participation in online education activities. Each student will get highest TK 8,000 as soft loan.
Following applications , 3,006 students of the university have been primarily selected to be given the loans by UGC.
According to finance and account office of the university, although they asked for final applications of the students applied for the loans before but yet to get expected responds. Only 500 students of 24 departments submitted applications for the loans.
On December 24, register office of the university in a written notice said that the loans would be given within January 31 and students have to submit voucher of purchasing of the device to the chairmen of their respective departments. But students alleged that submitting voucher before receiving the loans made them apathetic for applying the loans.Besides, TK 8,000 is not enough to buy a well – featured device.
JnU Register Eng.Wahiduzzaman said, the notice made some misunderstandings among students primarily. Students would get the loans first then they would submit voucher to their department chairman.
However, upon opening of the university students have to repay the loans in four installments or during their studentship or at a time. Transcript and certificate wouldn’t be issued if anyone fail to repay fully.
Mahmudul Hasan Mishu, student of Film and Television department of the university said, ” Only TK 8,000 is not enough to buy a well- configured smartphone. The university authorities have been giving so called promises but not implementing these since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic.”
