Update 20: Education in a one-and-a-half-meter society
Wednesday 6 May the government announced that it would gradually relax the current corona restrictions. Higher education was not specifically mentioned, only that ways of easing restrictions are being investigated. This means that the situation at Saxion remains unchanged for the time being. Online education will continue until at least 1 June 2020, whenever possible planned assessments will take place online and students and staff (with a few exceptions) will continue to study and work from home. In the week of 20 May, the government will decide on a proposal for the (partial) reopening of educational sectors with a (supra) regional character, such as MBO (intermediate vocational education) and higher education.
Anka Mulder, President of the Executive Board: “We may say that we started sprinting, but that sprint has now turned into a marathon. That is heavy. We really need to share our strengths smartly.”
Combine online education with in-person education
Saxion will continue to prepare for an educational restart in a one-and-a-half-meter society. For example, in the event of an easing of restrictions, the types of education and assessments that can be put in place quickly at location(s) are being examined with regard to the then applicable guidelines. The number of students, staff and visitors permitted on our premises at any one time will be considerably less than before. When restarting on-site activities, Saxion will give priority to practical education and assessment, as this helps prevent study delays.
Saxion is ready to continue providing online education and is taking into account that in the coming academic year a substantial part of education will also take place remotely. We are prepared to scale in-person activities on our premises up and down in line with guidelines given by the government and RIVM in relation to the changing corona situation. In all circumstances we will attempt of find the right combination of online and in-person activities in the fields of education, research and entrepreneurship.
You can also read the interview (in Dutch) with Anka Mulder about creating a one-and-a-half-meter applied university. An interview about where we are now, what this period requires of us and how we are moving towards the future.
Updates and FAQ’s from Saxion
For the latest updates regarding the coronavirus you can go to saxion.edu/coronavirus and in the FAQ’s we answer all Saxion specific questions.