Myitkyina University in Kachin State postponed mid-term exams for students on Tuesday amid fears of spreading the coronavirus through large gatherings, including those required for academic testing.
The university’s rector Dr. Aung Win said that examinations will not be administered until COVID-19 is no longer a threat.
“We released a statement this morning. All of the students have already returned home. It’s an indefinite postponement,” he told KNG. “We will postpone examinations until the situation is safe.”
The university has more than 7,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Exams were previously scheduled to be held between March 19 and April 1.
“We will let students know 15 days in advance of the next round of examinations. We will every student through the township administration body of the exam schedule,” Dr. Aung Win told KNG, referring to the General Administration Department.
Other universities across Burma have taken similar action, postponing exams.
As of Wednesday, the Burmese government had confirmed just three cases of COVID-19 in the country, a figure that has been questioned by rights advocates, medical professionals, and locals amid a lack of testing technology and poor healthcare infrastructure.
