In the view of coronavirus pandemic, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) will go completely online next semester, becoming the first IIT to take such decision, reports Deccan Herald.

The decision was taken following deliberations in the institute that went on till late Wednesday (24 June) night.

In a media statement IIT-Bombay Director Subhasis Chaudhuri said, "After a long deliberation in the Senate, we have decided that the next semester will be run purely in the online mode so that there is no compromise on the safety and well being of the students. The Covid pandemic has made us rethink the way we impart education to our students.”

He further added, “To ensure that our students begin the academic year without further delay, we are planning on extensive online classes, details of which will be informed to all students in due course of time.

“However, a large section of our students come from economically less privileged families and would require a helping hand to equip them with the IT hardware to take these online classes. We look forward to your overwhelming support to help these bright young minds to continue their learning without any further hindrances or delays,” he wrote.

As per report, other IITs are likely to follow suit, however no such announcements have been made so far.