Unis move online to limit contact
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation has suspended all on-campus teaching and learning activities at public and private universities in high-risk areas as a preventative measure amid the rise in Covid-19 cases.
Universities in high-risk areas must provide methods of instruction that can help limit risks associated with the disease such as moving their teaching online as well as adapting their syllabus into an assignment-based study programme which requires no physical attendance, according to the ministry’s guidelines issued yesterday.
For general tests and examinations, the guidelines say instructors must consider various forms of assignments which could also be effective for evaluating students’ progress, such as indepth reports or take-home exams.
In the case of qualifying exams, dissertation proposals and theses by graduate students, an online exam may be conducted, supplemented by a video conference.
The guidelines also instructed lecturers and university employees to work from home or work in shifts. With shift work, employees will be placed into groups, and only specific groups would be permitted to work on campus at a time.
Canteens inside universities can carry on operations only through food delivery and takeaway services, the guidelines said.
Students, instructors and university employees are also asked not to travel to other provinces and high-risk areas during this period.
Higher Education Minister Anek Laothamatas said the ministry is aware of the danger and is concerned for the safety of students and university staff.
Mr Anek said all measures issued by the ministry are in line with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)’s recent orders to limit the spread of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Department of Land Transport (DLT) yesterday announced that it has suspended several in-person services at offices nationwide.
This includes training and testing for new driver’s licences in person as well as services where people come in to pay tax.