Principles of conducting classes in the summer semester

Changes in the rules for the implementation of classes in the summer semester.

Throughout the summer semester, lectures and seminars (i.e. classes conducted in larger groups) will be conducted remotely. With the exception of the field of Nursing, where, due to separate regulations (education standards), only selected lectures can be conducted in this way.

The decision to change the principles of conducting the classes was made by the University Governance, taking into account the worsening epidemiological situation and the latest forecasts of the Ministry of Health. According to them, the peak of the fifth wave of cases is expected in mid-February, which means it will coincide with the launch of the summer semester.

As for the forms of classes other than lectures and tutorials, it is impossible to determine at this point what the implementation of the entire summer semester will look like. So far, the Minister of Education and Science has not introduced any regulations that would entitle universities to switch to remote education to a greater extent, however, the Law on Higher Education and Science allows universities to implement some of the classes in the remote education mode. Therefore, out of concern for the health and safety of the UITM Academic Community, the University Governance decided that the classes would be planned in such a way that, depending on the current epidemic situation, it would be possible to change the method of their implementation.

In most fields of study, the summer semester will start remotely, but from April (if the epidemic situation allows it), the University will switch to hybrid education, i.e. remote lectures and seminars, and the remaining classes will be traditional.

The rules for the implementation of the classes will, however, differ between the fields of study, i.e .:

• For most fields of study, classes that have to be carried out traditionally will not be scheduled until April. The implementation of the remaining classes (which can be carried out remotely) will start from the beginning of the semester and will be planned remotely in March. From April, all these classes will be planned traditionally (in classrooms), so that it is possible to switch to traditional classes, if the epidemic situation allows it.
• Due to the aforementioned regulations governing education in the field of Nursing, only selected lectures will be carried out remotely in this field of study, and the remaining didactic classes from the beginning of the semester will be carried out traditionally, with sanitary requirements.
• In the case of other fields of study at the Medical College and selected groups on English-language paths, classes that must be carried out traditionally will be planned in the schedule from the beginning of the semester and will be carried out in compliance with sanitary requirements. The implementation of the remaining classes (which can be carried out remotely) will also start from the beginning of the semester and will be planned remotely in March. From April, all these classes will be planned traditionally (in classrooms), so that it is possible to switch to traditional classes, if the epidemic situation allows it.

„The pandemic situation is still difficult, but thanks to the joint effort, the University’s activity can still be effective” – emphasizes Dr. Wergiliusz Gołąbek, Rector of UITM: Ladies and Gentlemen, we will all face challenges in the next months related to education in the time of the pandemic. Until now, however, thanks to the commitment of the lecturers and the constructive attitude of the students, our University has carried out its didactic mission, effectively educating and offering education at the highest possible level. I am sure it will continue to do so.

The University governance is closely following the development of the epidemic situation in the country as well as the announcements and decisions issued by the Minister of Education and Science. If the epidemic situation does not improve, a decision will be made at the end of March to extend the remote classes for another month, but the UITM governance hopes that from May at the latest, the University will switch to hybrid education (remote lectures and seminars, and traditional classes). As in the previous semesters, remote classes will be held in real time (in synchronous mode ensuring direct contact between students and the lecturer) using the Cisco Webex Meetings tool.