IIT Kanpur (IIT-K) has developed a bio-bubble to protect its students, teachers, and staff against Covid contamination during the December 28 (Tuesday) convocation ceremony. The event's primary guest will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
While all IIT-K attendees will be subjected to RT-PCR testing on Monday, they will also be subjected to a second rapid antigen test (RAT) just hours before entering the venue on Tuesday. The convocation will be held in a hybrid format, with approximately 870 students, professors, and staff expected to attend. Virtually, over 850 additional people will be present. This would be the first time in India that a convocation will be held inside a bio-bubble, according to the institute. A bio-secure environment is constructed to minimise contamination hazards in a bio-bubble, a concept established recently in the realm of sports, particularly cricket.
S Ganesh, Deputy Director at IIT Kanpur, said on Monday, "It is our responsibility to safeguard everyone's safety as we prepare to celebrate the 54th convocation in a hybrid mode in the presence of esteemed invited dignitaries. As a result, in light of the ever-changing Covid pandemic scenario, we are performing additional preventive drills on campus. Prior testing will be carried out to ensure that everyone who will be physically present at the event is in good health. This is to ensure the highest level of safety for all attendees, ensuring that the joy of the occasion is not harmed."
Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Manipur in the first week of January