The laboratories of Calcutta University that have remained open for postgraduate students since January 18 will continue to be functional, vice-chancellor Sonali Chakravarti Banerjee said on Friday.

The clarification comes two days after the higher education department said it would take a call on resumption of in-person classes for colleges and universities not before April.

“The university had received several appeals from scores of teachers and students about reopening the labs and the decision was taken in the interest of the students…. The university took a collective decision on reopening the labs, strictly adhering to the safety protocols…” Chakravarti Banerjee told Metro.

“CU will keep the labs open for postgraduate students until and unless the department formally tells us to shut them down.”

Education minister Partha Chatterjee had on Wednesday sought to know from CU pro-VC (academic) Ashis Chatterjee why the university had reopened its labs in the absence of any directive from the education department.

When asked about the interaction, the VC said on Friday: “Pro-VC Chatterjee explained to the minister why the university decided to reopen the labs.”