Eastern Cape universities ready for students’ return

Eastern Cape universities are set to reopen in July and August.

The universities will open gradually, as part of measures set out by the department of higher education & training to combat the spread of Covid-19.

The University of Fort Hare (UFH) will open for the first cohort of students from July 13, Walter Sisulu University (WSU) will receive a group of students on August 1, and Rhodes University opened this week for its first cohort.

During a media briefing on Wednesday, minister Blade Nzimande said under level 3 a maximum of a third of the student population was allowed to return to campuses, delivery sites and residences.

“This is on condition that they [students] can be safely accommodated and supported in line with the health and safety protocols as directed by the department,” Nzimande said.

UFH spokesperson Tandi Mapukata said permits were being issued to students who were allowed to return to campus.

“In his presentation, Minister Nzimande pleaded with students not to come to institutions unless otherwise personally invited.

“So for that reason, invitation back to campus is a strictly controlled process and permits are being issued to specific groups of students who’ve been identified to return on a particular date,” Mapukata said.

She added that between July 13 and 24, the university would “bring in the first group of the 33% cohort”.

Mapukata said students who required clinical training and laboratory services would return first.

“Other categories [still within the 33%] will be brought in incrementally until July 31," she said.

Mapukata said the purpose of the staggered return was to avoid congestion and “ensure compliance with health and safety Covid-19 protocols”.

In May, WSU opened its doors for its first cohort, final-year health science students.

University spokesperson Yonela Tukwayo said from August 1, WSU would phase in its postgraduate and final-year students in other programmes.

“The university has had time to prepare for the return of the next group of students,” Tukwayo said.

She said measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus were in place at the university.

“This includes identifying and setting aside quarantine facilities.”

“WSU is ready to receive the next group of students. Remote teaching, a combination of online and blended learning, will continue for the rest of the students that aren’t on campus,” said Tukwayo.

Rhodes University, which welcomed its first group of students from Monday, said students who had returned to campus were urged to self-quarantine in residence for 14 days.

University spokesperson Velisile Bukula said senior science and pharmacy students, those with disabilities and students whose home environment was not conducive to “quality learning” returned this week.

Bukula said the university had implemented all the necessary health and safety measures to prepare for the return of students.

According to the university, “relevant staff members will be trained on the application of basic microbiological cleaning principles" targeting the virus.

He said students in quarantine would have meals delivered to their rooms while they continued with virtual learning.