Thank you for your commitment and continued support to ensure the success of our students under these unusual circumstances. I know it is not easy and can be challenging at times. I want to assure you of our support and that the Executive and I will do everything possible to assist you while we get through this together.

At our meeting on 7 April 2020, the Executive Committee made the following decisions in respect of the University’s academic programme for the remainder of the first semester of 2020:

• The University will, as from 20 April 2020 until the end of the first semester (17 June 2020), function according to the guidelines provided under Scenario 3 of the Teaching, Learning and Student Success Scenario Planning document. Teaching and learning will therefore continue online for the remainder of the semester. Please see the latest academic calendar on the University website.
• Please note that even if it were possible for normal campus activities to resume by the scheduled examination period, preference should be given to (online) alternatives to traditional invigilated examinations, where feasible. Special arrangements will be made for traditional, invigilated examinations in University venues where these are essential for professional or other accreditation or licensing purposes or for any other valid reason.
• Faculties are requested to ensure that, during the scheduled examinations period, all alternative (online) assessments that replace formal examinations are scheduled within the framework of the official examination timetable, given that the official examination timetable makes provision for various essential examination-related considerations.
• Special arrangements will be made by the Faculties for students to complete, in a controlled and safe manner, their clinical, practical and laboratory experimental work in order to meet the academic and graduate attribute requirements of their degree programmes.
• The University will publish the details of plans to assist students to access online information and instruction as soon as possible. As previously communicated, the University is currently working with all telecommunications providers to zero-rate clickUP data. This means that any data hosted on clickUP, other student portals, the Library’s website and staff portals will be free.
• The University is currently also working on plans to support those students who currently do not have access to internet-enabled devices and will provide details in this regard as soon as these plans have been finalised.
• We are also working with the country’s broadcasters to see how we can leverage some of the available channels for teaching and learning and will update you as soon as the details are confirmed.

The University will continue to monitor the response of the national government to the crisis and adjust its plans accordingly.

We are committed to providing all our students with the necessary support to ensure their success, and we kindly request all Faculties to develop strategies that will ensure that all of them have access to the teaching and learning opportunities provided by the University.

As you know, the situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic is very fluid and circumstances might change at short notice. We will continue to update you as frequently as we can through clickUP and emails and request that you visit the University’s website and follow the social media platforms for regular updates.

Thank you again for your contribution and dedication to ensure the success of our students.

Warm regards

Prof Tawana Kupe

Vice-Chancellor and Principal