14 February 2020: The University of Canberra today announced it would ask students remaining in China to defer their studies for Semester 1, following the extension of the Australian Government’s travel restrictions to and from mainland China to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (CoVID-19).
“Our top priority is to ensure that our students have the best possible learning experience and academic outcomes,” said Professor Geoff Crisp, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic. “Due to complications from the Chinese firewall, access to study materials and the multiple variations of individual student’s study plans, we would rather ensure our students continue to receive the high-quality face-to-face experience offered here at UC, instead of an online version of our career-focused degrees with practical work-integrated-learning units.”
This is not a decision that the university has taken lightly, exhausting all avenues for study options for the approximately 380 students still in China after the 1 February travel restrictions were implemented. Students will have until Monday 2 March to defer, or arrive for classes, and will be automatically deferred beyond that date. There will be no fee charges for affected students.
“UC is unique in that our semester starts far earlier than most universities so we have had to act quickly to alleviate our students’ anxieties around commencement of studies this week,” he said. “Our dedicated staff have worked hard to investigate the best solution for these students to ensure they are able to complete their degrees while enjoying a good learning experience.”
The University of Canberra currently has a cohort of approximately 800 students from mainland China, with more than 400 of those already in the country before the 1 February travel restriction was imposed.
“Of those who arrived early, we have a total of 17 students in self-isolation, 8 of which are in a dedicated isolated on-campus residence with separate air conditioning units,” said Professor Crisp.
“Those students are being taken care of with medical and counselling support from our experienced team via phone, being delivered food and groceries, and have been provided with care packages.”
The University of Canberra continues to remain engaged with our students—both remaining in China and here on campus in Canberra—through dedicated support and advice during this difficult and unforeseen situation on an international scale.
Affected students are encouraged to visit our dedicated website for FAQs, government updates and further information.