Teaching Arrangement in Term 1, 2021-22

While the new academic year is approaching, we are looking forward to welcoming you back on campus.  I am writing to update you on the teaching arrangement for Term 1, 2021-22. 

Return to face-to-face teaching and learning
The University will resume face-to-face teaching and learning so that the entire University community can be re-connected in person and on-site again.  Lectures, tutorials, seminars, laboratory/studio/practicum-based subjects will be conducted face-to-face on campus to maximise students’ learning experience.  At the same time, we will continue to adopt innovative technologies and pedagogies to promote quality teaching and learning.  Online materials and recorded courses will also be made available as part of the total teaching and learning experience.

In view of the recent change in the pandemic situation in the Mainland, there are students who are prohibited from travelling to Hong Kong due to exceptional circumstances such as their areas have been locked down.  Affected students are required to provide supporting documents and seek special approval from the Head of Department/Programme Director to attend classes online.  The exemption may be granted for a period of time or for the entire term subject to individual situations.  Zoom links will ONLY be given to pre-approved students.

Lecture recording
The University will request that all face-to-face lectures be recorded and made available online for students to retrieve and revise at their own pace.  But as pointed out above, lecture recording is not meant to replace in-person classroom experience.  Tutorials are, however, not required to be recorded.

Final Examinations
All final examinations to be conducted at the end of Term 1 will adopt the on-campus proctored mode unless otherwise pre-approved by the Head of Department/Programme Director. 

Student exchange activities
The University intends to resume both inbound and outbound student exchange activities as far as practical.  As travel restrictions may be changed at short notice, we will work closely with our partner institutions to provide students with timely guidelines and advice.

Students and staff returning to campus
Staff and students who are outside Hong Kong should allow sufficient time to undergo the mandatory quarantine, if applicable, before returning to campus.  For updated information about the quarantine requirements, please visit: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html .
All staff and students are strongly encouraged to get fully vaccinated not only for their own protection but also for the protection of others. Staff and students who are not able to get fully vaccinated are strongly encouraged to take a virus test before they return to the University.   

With support by our Health, Safety and Environment Committee, the University has decided that all people (including students, wardens/tutors and their families) who reside in hostels on campus and the Heritage Lodge in Mei Foo (our off-campus student accommodation) shall be required to undergo regular virus tests if they are not fully vaccinated.  Details concerning the implementation of this requirement and verification of test results will be announced by the Office of Student Affairs (for hostels on campus) and the School of Graduate Studies (for Heritage Lodge).

Please stay vigilant and follow the precautionary measures that are put in place https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/social_distancing.html while on campus.