In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, Cambridge University has decided to extend its online lecture sessions for students till the end of summer 2021, supplanting face-to-face instructions. This connotes that the entire academic year will be shifted to the online mode. It may be recalled that the University campuses have been closed this term due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The University had already moved all its medium of instruction from face-to-face to online, in March 2020. Even exams are being held in the virtual space since then.
As per the statement issued by the University, the latest decision is in line with the evolving health advisory issued by the public health organizations in the United Kingdom. At the same time, the university has also said that this decision is not final and will be reviewed from time to time in view of changes in health advisory, which calls for maintaining social distancing norms. On the other hand, the University has not entirely ruled out face-to-face lectures in small groups, provided social distancing is maintained.
This comes close on the heels of the University of Manchester’s decision to move its entire mode of teaching online, for the next term. But, the Office of Students, the university watchdog in the UK has issued a warning to all Universities that students should be given absolute clarity with regards to how courses will be taught before they make their choices for the Autumn intake. According to Nicola Dandridge, of the University Watchdog, no student should be misled in believing that they will get an ‘on campus’ experience if the courses are to be taught online, especially when Universities have been given the liberty to charge full fees even if the mode of instruction remains virtual.
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