As the University of Malta continues to gear up for the upcoming academic year, it has published a document containing advice and guidelines on the procedures to be adopted in response to COVID-19.
The university will adopt multiple approaches to lecture delivery, with physical, online and hybrid options being considered. The priority for in-person lectures will be given to First Year students so they may have the opportunity to experience University life first-hand. Study-units requiring use of labs and clinics will, continue to take place on campus or other venues as applicable.
Protocols will be issued separately by individual Faculties/ Institutes/ Centres/ Schools (FICS) specific to these particular learning environments.
In some cases, the P-R mode of teaching will be adopted, whereby either (1) in-person lessons will take place while some students are following remotely via Zoom, or (2) online lectures will be streamed in real time or using recorded material, or (3) a blend of both types.
The University is also taking action to enhance its cleaning protocols across all its campuses. Technical experts were commissioned to ensure ventilation of lecture rooms is compliant with safety standards.
Staff and students present on campus will have their temperature taken, and must adhere to basic mitigation measures, namely physical distancing, wearing of face coverings and hand hygiene. Moreover, staff-student and student-student physical interactions will be limited to what is essential, with virtual meetings being encouraged. Staff and students with symptoms are expected to stay away from campus.
The guidelines can be accessed online.