Panjab University sets up helpdesk, student bodies launch helplines too

The help desk has been set up outside the Aruna Ranjit Chandra Hall at the Sector 14 university campus and is functional on all working days from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm.

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“Students are being helped with any kind of admission-related queries like availability of courses, admission schedule, deadlines for applications and criteria for application, among others,” a student volunteer said.

Though the official help desk for admissions has now been set up, the student organisations at Panjab University have declared their own helpline numbers for admissions.

Since 2014, the PU authorities have banned student organisations from setting up their help desks during admissions, following an increase in incidents of violence. Despite this, the students organisations at PU continue to distribute their party-specific pamphlets during admissions.

For student organisations of PU, the admission session is crucial time for garnering attention of the newcomers, in order to get more votes during the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council elections.

“The university officials have set up the help desks only now, when there are just 10 days left for the admission deadline. All the student parties have been helping the newcomers with admission queries so far and it is easier for the freshers to seek help from us,” Rohan Brar, a member of Panjab University’s Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) said.

Last week, student leaders of National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) had submitted a memorandum to the university officials requesting for the revival of student help desks inside the campus.

However, following the recommendation from the police, the university authorities have stated that the ban on student helpdesks will not be revoked.