Dear students and parents
I’m writing this message to our exchange and 2+2 students currently in overseas countries, and their parents, to express my support for you at this difficult time. I hope that I find you safe and well, wherever you are.
Being a global university, UNNC has a large number of students on exchange and 2+2 programmes all around the world. Naturally, I appreciate that many of you are understandably anxious during the current coronavirus pandemic. It is therefore important for you to know that the University stands with you and will continue to help you get through this challenging period.
Academic arrangements at UNUK
The University of Nottingham UK (UNUK) has the largest UNNC student population. It is reassuring to know that UNUK has continually made the health and safety of all students as its top priority. However, as well as closely monitoring student wellbeing, we also take all possible measures to maintain our academic programmes to keep our students on track.
Since 23 March, the University has started to deliver all teaching online. This switch to online teaching ensures that students can complete this year's studies and progress to the next year or - if a final year student - complete the degree on time, so that their plan of pursuing employment or further study won’t be affected.
As holding assessments on campus would clearly be extremely difficult at the moment, the University is developing online assessment methods to assure the rigorous standards of our degrees. UNUK schools are contacting students this week to inform them how this assessment will take place.
For final year 2+2 students, please rest assured that you will graduate on time should you meet the degree requirements, however the ceremonial part of graduation will be postponed.
2+2 or exchange students at UNUK can check for updates regularly through the COVID-19 information webpages, MyNottingham app and the University’s social media channels.
Non-academic support
I fully understand how much you are concerned about the situation around COVID-19 and can be torn between whether to stay in the host country or come back. Whichever choice you make, the University will continue to support you throughout the time.
For those who plan to stay, please make full use of the resources the University has provided on maintaining mental and physical health while you practice social-distancing. UNUK has also established dedicated online helplines to report illness or receive advice on concerns linked to coronavirus. For exceptional cases where you need accommodation during the Easter vacation (4 April to 3 May 2020), the University is offering campus accommodation at no additional charge. All detailed guidance can be found on the COVID-19 information webpages.
If you plan to leave, please follow all advice and note any travel restrictions published by your host country as well as those by your home country, including one important notice that China has cut the number of inbound international flights to only one per week, starting on Sunday 29 March. Please also consider if your travel is essential at this time, as the situation is evolving rapidly. Once you decide to go back to your home country, please check with the local authority of your home city for the latest epidemic control policy. You are also advised to keep in touch with your School, including informing them about your leave, as your Schools and tutors can provide constant support. In all cases, please take good care of yourself and be aware of the risks on your journey.
Support from UNNC
The Global Engagement Office (GEO), Department of Campus Life (DCL) and many UNNC offices have been in close contact with our students in overseas countries, to help sort out personal or academic issues. I was delighted to know that 2,000 facemasks had arrived at UNUK last week to aid our students there, and this is only the first batch. We are also arranging to courier facemasks to our exchange students in the UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy and USA. Rest assured that UNNC will continue to monitor the needs of our overseas students and make all efforts to provide necessary resources.
Since the start of the outbreak, UNNC has maintained a dedicated student communication channel: students2020@nottingham.edu.cn to collect students』 enquiries and provide guidance. Offices such as GEO and Department of Campus Life have also set up wechat groups to get connected with respective student groups. Please scan the QR code below to join the groups, if you haven’t done so.