The UAEU Acting Vice Chancellor: Students health and safety are top priorities in the UAE university reopening plan

The United Arab Emirates University has announced the beginning of university students attendance for the first semester of the academic year 2020-2021 at the scheduled time in the university calendar, with the hybrid education system within specific directives in order to ensure student safety and provide high-quality education in all circumstances.

Prof. Ghaleb Al Hadrami Al Breiki- Acting Vice Chancellor - confirmed that the university has developed a series of precautionary policies that will be implemented during the first semester.  It follows an integrated plan in line with the directives of National Emergency and Crisis and Disasters Management Authority NCEMA and health authority guidelines regarding the students health and safety. He added that the courses that do not have lab component will be delivered using distance learning approach using online platforms. Meanwhile, courses that require the use of on-campus laboratory facilities will be offered on campus using face-to face delivery unless the college has proper arrangements in place to run laboratory sessions remotely.

The UAEU Acting Vice Chancellor indicated that the occupancy of student housing is reduced to abide by single room occupancy. Only the following students will receive accommodation in UAE Housing during fall 2020, national and international students who live outside Al Ain and are enrolled in one or more courses that require the use of laboratories, international students who do not have another accommodation in Al Ain. As well as students of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, so that they will accommodated separately from other UAEU Students, and postgraduate students whose research activities require the on-campus facilities and do not have other accommodations. As well as students of determination. 

Prof. Ghaleb stressed that all students from outside the Emirate of Abu Dhabi require adhering to the laws specified by the Abu Dhabi government regarding entry rules.  In addition, the students must wear facemasks at all times while on university transportation and follow social distancing protocols while in university transport. Meanwhile, students who are at high risk of complications from COVID-19 or people of determination who would need special arrangements should contact the Advisory Unit of the concerned College to provide them with the needful to stay safe.