China News Service, July 28. According to a report on the BBC Chinese website on the 28th, students from the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nottingham in the UK have returned to school and started classes. Affected by the new crown epidemic, their university life is very different from before.
According to reports, these students are the first batch of students to start school on a British university campus. Paul Greatrix, a clerk at the University Registry, said safety is the top priority.
Data map: On June 29, local time, in the center of Leicester, UK, pedestrians passed by slogans reminding people to maintain social distance.
【Return to campus】
The first batch of 150 veterinary students came back to class. They were divided into smaller groups, or "bubbles". The students in the same "bubble" study and live together, and rarely Contact with other students with different "bubbles" to avoid cross-infection as much as possible.
The number of people in each bubble varies from 3 to 10 people. The people in the bubble do not need to maintain social distance or wear a mask, but if you are in contact with people from different bubbles, you need to maintain social distance and wear a mask.
The school building has planned a one-way traffic method. Alcohol disinfectants are set up at designated locations. Teachers and students must wear masks when facing face-to-face classes. Large classes with a large number of people use online lectures, while group teaching uses face-to-face lectures. Face-to-face lectures are absolutely necessary for technical subjects such as the veterinary department.
The university’s student bar is closed, and college students’ pizza dinners are also held online.
Data map: British photographer JJ Waller took more than 100 groups of portraits of individuals and families behind windows, doors and balcony glass from March 19 to May 21. This may be a strong proof that these people have personally experienced self-blocking.
[Students' feelings]
The students at the University of Nottingham are very happy to be able to return to campus to attend classes. Although they have to adapt to many new regulations, it is better than staying at home and studying online in the past few months. Student Amy Thornton was in the same bubble with 5 other classmates. She said, “Everyone hopes to go back to school for class. It’s really nice to see classmates.”
Most students don't mind the regulations on wearing masks in class, but they find that some animals in the practical class will feel uneasy when they see people wearing masks.
Clinical assistant Sarah Cripps said that for university teachers, seeing students return to campus is also a joy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, universities did not close their doors but switched to online teaching. Students and teachers missed many opportunities to fully experience campus life.
For departments like veterinarians that require hands-on learning, online teaching cannot completely replace face-to-face teaching.
Data map: London, England, a commuter wearing a mask arrives at Paddington Station.
[Security considerations]
Gretrix said that returning the University of Nottingham's 40,000 students and faculty to campus will be the biggest project facing the school. Starting in September, students and faculty will arrive at school at different times to reduce contact opportunities.
The school has also prepared a contingency plan to deal with an outbreak on campus or in Nottingham.
Ensuring safety is the primary consideration for universities, and it is also the focus of concern for overseas students. Gretrix said that he can't say how many overseas students will register as planned this fall, but if 50% of the international students come to register, it would be great.
He said that although universities can introduce new safety regulations, what they can do is limited. University students have grown up and cannot prevent students from contacting others outside the campus.
"All we can do is keep reminding students to take their responsibilities."