Presidency University has decided to extend the ongoing semester by one month and hold the exams during the summer break as the campus will remain shut till April 15.

The state government has asked all educational institutes to remain close till April 15 as part of its efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Presidency’s decision to extend the seminar was taken at an “urgent meeting” chaired by vice-chancellor Anuradha Lohia on the New Town campus of the university.

The meeting’s resolution reads: “The members have unanimously resolved that Presidency University will extend the semester class for one month (after April 15) and the examination will be held during the summer break, which will therefore, not affect the academic calendar.”

Lohia said: “We had to defer the semester by a month because of the situation. The exams will be held during the summer recess so the next semester could start in time. We have informed the higher education about the decision.”

The university’s summer recess starts on May 15 and continues till the end of June.

“The duration of the break has been shortened to 15 days because of the exams. The detailed schedule will be announced later. We are looking forward to what the state government decides at its review meeting on March 30,” the official said.

Lohia said the teachers were free to upload teaching materials on the website of the respective departments to help the students during the period the campus will remain close.

“The students can go through the materials and interact with the teachers over the phone or through online facilities such as Skype,” said Lohia.

A university official said they had issued an order to vacate the hostels, as advised by the higher education department on Tuesday.