We are all looking back on a very tumultuous week with many new developments concerning the Covid-19 virus. Measures by the authorities are becoming more severe and have already impacted our life significantly.
In the meantime, we have been working diligently on how we are going to organise our work in the coming period. With this mail, we would like to inform you about the newest developments.
Online education from Monday 23 March
This week, the staff members of the educational programmes have been working around the clock to ensure online education can be introduced smoothly on 23 March. Students will be informed via Canvas or email on how and when the education will proceed. Every study programme has a tailor-made approach.
As we have communicated before, the full third quartile will be offered online. This means no activities will be held for which attendance on campus is required. A solid internet connection should be sufficient.
We have not yet decided how the educational activities in the fourth quartile will proceed. We are striving to offer you more information on that at short notice. For this, we are also held to guidelines and agreements on a national level. For some study programmes, this may lead to the requirement of attending activities on campus. Hopefully, we can provide more information soonest.
All buildings will remain closed
All buildings have been closed, and all activities on campus have been halted or relocated. In the Spiegel building, a section has been opened for students to work, in case they do not have an opportunity to study at home or in their student room.
Travelling not allowed
Until further notice you are not allowed to book or make any work or study-related trips abroad. The current situation is too fluid. We are getting into contact with staff and students who are currently abroad and help them return to the Netherlands as soon as possible. Students and staff still abroad are urged to get in contact with the Dutch Embassy, via https://informatieservice.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/. This is needed to receive assistance from the Dutch government when returning.
Binding Study Progress Evaluation (BSA)
The University of Twente deals with the Binding student progress evaluation (BSA) in line with the request made by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. In the study year 2019-2020, no negative binding study advice will be issued to first-year students.
For first year students who do not meet the requirements of the BSA per 31 August 2020, the final student progress evaluation will be postponed. This postponed evaluation means the student will have the opportunity to fulfil the requirements for the BSA in the study year 2020-2021. Furthermore, they will receive an additional, non-binding preliminary student progress evaluation. Also, they will be invited by their study advisor to discuss whether continuing the educational programme is preferable.
The UT will do everything within its power to smoothly proceed education and examination online. We do expect to offer all students a programme in which they are able to complete the third and fourth quartile within this study year.
Postponement of deadline for prospective students
Yesterday the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science announced a change of deadline for prospective students, from 1 May to 1 June. We apply various deadlines in various situations for various study programmes. The change of deadline only applies to Dutch students applying for a bachelor programme. For international students and master students, no changes are yet foreseen. We hope to provide you with an overview of all applicable deadlines soon.
More information
For more detailed information on various topics, please visit www.utwente.nl/corona. If you cannot find the answer to your question there, please contact us via info@utwente.nl.
Over the last few days we have been sharing the personal updates of members of our community on www.utwente.nl/wall. We are thrilled with all the creative and caring messages from staff, students and alumni.
