The Rectors of the University of Cyprus and TEPAK talk about returning to the classes
The day of return to the desks is for the students of the Universities tomorrow (07/09), with the two Public Universities of Cyprus being feverishly preparing for their return by always observing all the health protocols due to the pandemic.
The Rectors of the University of Cyprus and the Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK) spoke to Offsite about the new way of operation of the Universities due to the pandemic.
University of Cyprus - Rector Tassos Christofidis
-How will the return to the new academic year take place?
"We will follow a system in which some lessons will be done with physical presence and some will be done remotely completely. Some courses will be fully physical in attendance, these will be the courses that can be hosted in classrooms taking into account the protocols for the distance between students. The capacity of the room and the size of the department are what determine whether a course can be done with physical presence or not. We will have courses that due to the size will have to be done completely remotely and some that will be done in both ways in parallel. The audience will be divided into two groups, half will be physically present and the other group from a distance the exact same lesson that is done in the classroom via camera from home. The teams will be exchanged every week.
We will have a combination of things neither completely with physical presence nor everything from a distance. Students who will be physically present will wear masks and will follow all the rules and what has been established for the protocols. These instructions are valid for the first half of the year so far and we hope that things will be better in the future ".
-What is the planning for the exams? (Intermediate and final)
The exams will all be done with physical presence and the intermediate and the final ones.
TEPAK - Rector Panagiotis Zafeiris
-How will the return to the new academic year take place?
Among the goals of the Cyprus University of Technology is the smooth continuation of the provision of educational, research and other activities and services to its students and in general to society in the midst of a pandemic. The academic year has started normally, applying all the necessary hygiene measures (relevant Decrees of the Ministry of Health, instructions for the operation of HEIs with physical presence of the Ministry of Health, protocols for safety at work from the Department of Labor Inspection of the Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance) but and based on an additional health protocol of the University (guide for management of safety and health issues at the Cyprus University of Technology in sars-cov-2 coronavirus conditions).
The teaching of the courses will be carried out with a combination of physical presence in the learning areas (lecture halls and laboratories) and conducting e-learning. Where the student audience is small, the course will take place with physical presence and observing the necessary adjustments based on capacity. In the case of large audiences, it will be divided into two groups that will attend in person, and in addition the entire department will receive joint distance learning. In the laboratory and other related areas, the arrangements will ensure distance between students. Students who fall into vulnerable groups and have difficulty attending classes / workshops in person, submit a request to their Department, and arrangements are made where needed.
-What is the planning for the exams? (Intermediate and final)
The tests are scheduled to be performed in person if health conditions allow. Otherwise, there is infrastructure at the University to make remote arrangements, in most cases.
-What measures are generally taken by TEPAK in relation to the pandemic?
A Crisis Management Team has been set up at the University (COVID-19) which takes care of:
regularly monitoring the evolution of the pandemic and submitting policy, procedures and practices to the relevant bodies.
the regular information of the University Community on the issues that arise in relation to its subject COVID-19
the implementation of prevention and protection measures, within the framework of the policies approved by the competent bodies.
the coordination of actions, health and academic, that must be done in case of a confirmed case between the staff and / or the students of the University.
The Departmental / Service Committees of Safety and Health of the University have a corresponding role for the implementation of the approved policies and the implementation instructions given by the competent bodies of the University. In addition, sanitary protocols have been established so that the University premises are cleaned daily and there is a relevant signage, a mask must be used indoors by staff and students, thermometry is applied, the conditions of courses are regularly inspected and distances are applied by people who have traveled abroad. In addition to preventive measures, the University takes measures in case of cases. If the circumstances so require, by decision of the competent bodies, the University may continue and complete the courses entirely by distance learning.
Source: Offsite