Students from TN clueless when they can return to China

Ever since the deadly virus was traced to Wuhan province in China in January, the disease has claimed more than 3,000 people in the country with the death toll still on the upsurge.

Students from Tamil Nadu in China, mostly pursuing medical courses, have returned to their native places after the outbreak and are now uncertain of getting their degrees. “The semester classes should have commenced on February 17 but has been postponed indefinitely. There is no official word from the university authorities or government on when we would be able to return,” said G Rahul, a student of Nanjing Medical University in China’s Jiangsu province.

Though Jiangsu is located at more than 500 kilometres from Wuhan, the intensity of the spread was felt even among the students of Nanjing University as they were also quarantined unofficially. “Nanjing is usually a crowded city. But after the outbreak, there were rumours about the virus and the city was deserted. The public transport system, which is far better than India, also witnessed a near-complete zero crowd due to the spread of the virus,” said Rahul, who also said Jiangsu province blocked the entry of even its own people coming from other provinces.

Though the university at present is taking classes for students through online medium, students feel they should undergo practical classes for medical courses. “For every semester, medical students have to undergo practical classes for at least two months. As their semester is due to end by June, the classes had to commence at least by April so that students will get two months for practicals,” said Agilasaran, a fifth-year student at Nanjing Medical University.

Agilarasan also said house surgeons will face more difficulty due to the spread of the virus. “According to the Medical Council of India (MCI) rules, an MBBS grad should have completed 52 weeks of training. With two months already wasted, the course, which should be over in July will have to be extended till December,” said Agilarasan.

However, neither the Indian embassy nor the university authorities have informed the date of returning to China. When State Higher Education Minister KP Anbalagan was asked about the uncertainty on the return of students, he replied that no student has contacted him so far about the problems they face. “If they approach, all possible help will be extended,” he said.