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The administration of the University of Balochistan has decided to suspend all on-campus academic activities indefinitely and transition to online classes. A notification issued by the university’s registrar did not specify the reason for this decision. However, Vice Chancellor Zahoor Ahmad Bazai stated that the closure of national highways was preventing students from remote areas from attending classes, prompting the administration to opt for online education. He emphasized that this step was taken to prevent any academic loss for students.
The vice chancellor explained that similar online teaching methods had already been successfully implemented at Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS) and Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University. Based on these experiences, the University of Balochistan decided to follow suit. He further assured that students facing internet accessibility issues would be provided necessary support, and a decision regarding the continuation of online classes would be made after Eid-ul-Fitr.
On the other hand, Academic Staff Association President Kaleemullah Barich expressed concerns over the decision, warning that it could cause students to lose another semester. He recalled that a similar attempt was made in 2019 during the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a significant academic loss for students. According to him, many students in Balochistan’s remote areas lack access to reliable internet services, modern gadgets, and financial resources to afford online education, making virtual learning impractical.
He further stated that all university professors were ensuring their attendance, so the administration should reconsider its decision and restore normal academic activities. While the university has not cited security concerns as a reason for the suspension of on-campus classes, recent militant attacks in Balochistan have intensified, impacting overall educational and other activities in the province
