Winter semester 2021-2022: A partial return to campus
Winter semester 2021-2022: A partial return to campus (updated 11 August 2021)
All universities in North Rhine-Westphalia are planning to offer more in-person teaching in the coming winter semester than in the past year and a half, and Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences is no exception. Students – and life in general – will start returning to campus again.
We can already say with certainty, however, that winter semester 2021-22 will not see a full return to in-person teaching. More than half of our lectures and courses will remain online or offered via hybrid teaching due to the pandemic. This applies in particular to larger events and lectures involving many students.
At the same time, in-person teaching will be possible once again for smaller courses that rely heavily on interaction and exchange, for example labs, projects etc. In other words, some courses will be online and others, where necessary and feasible, will be in person.
But don’t worry: if you can’t make it to Kleve or Kamp-Lintfort due to travel restrictions, health concerns or other reasons, we have a solution. You’ll still be able to participate in an online semester without falling behind in your studies.
Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences won’t be able to offer as many in-person courses as it would like in winter semester 2021-22. But learning and exchange in small groups will be possible. Our University Library and other service teams, as well as study areas, will also reopen to students. Thus we recommend that all students begin returning to their campus in Kleve or Kamp-Lintfort for the winter semester.
Background
Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic is still preventing us at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences from offering our full range of courses in-person in winter semester 2021-2022. Reasons include:
- The dynamic nature of the pandemic, demonstrated perhaps best by the emergence of the delta variant
- A lack of room for normal-sized groups while still maintaining recommended social distancing
- A lack of information on vaccination progress among teachers and students
- International students who have received a Covid-19 vaccine that is not recognised by the Paul Ehrlich Institute
- Uncertainty due to travel and visa restrictions for international students
Decision-making Factors
Currently enrolled students have already been informed by their faculties that many courses will be offered online or via hybrid teaching, while a select few will be offered in-person. The factors behind these decisions vary greatly by degree programme. Planning is still ongoing and more detailed information on the upcoming winter semester will be published as soon as possible.
Advisory for Students
All students are requested to consider the following advice:
- Please get vaccinated against Covid-19. For international students: Please choose a vaccine that is recognised by the Paul Ehrlich Institute: This includes vaccines from BioNTech/Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna (www.pei.de)
- If you are feeling ill, please isolate at home.
- Remember to socially distance, wash your hands thoroughly, and wear a proper mask while in public.
- Make use of available Covid-19 testing options.
- Please also use the official Corona Warn App for easier contact tracing: Corona Warn App