Students and staff of the Fiji National University are advised that the university will be implementing a phased re-opening of its campuses from Monday, October 4.
FNU vice-chancellor Toby Wilkinson said to manage the reopening of campuses in a safe and controlled manner, most learning, teaching and assessment were expected to remain online for the rest of the Semester.
“A return to campus will be phased with students who need to complete practical assignments that cannot be done online. If students fall into one of these groups, they will be contacted by their departments, schools or colleges,” Mr Wilkinson said in a statement.
He said similar arrangements were being made for staff where a return to campus would be phased and only for staff who were fully vaccinated and required to provide learning and teaching services and selected student-facing support services mainly related to ITS, Division of Estates and Facilities, Office of Registrar and Division of Finance.
Mr Wilkinson said all students and staff must have prior approval from the respective Deans and Division heads and their names to be included in the security list at the respective campuses.
He said this decision was made by the University’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) after consultations with the Fiji Higher Education Commission following the announcement by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.
He added the all Senate-approved teaching and assessment plans and deadlines would be maintained.
Those who visit any FNU campus will be required to maintain COVID safe measures, including:
- Only students and staff who have been fully vaccinated (or who have proof that they have been granted exemption from vaccination) will be permitted to enter FNU premises. Staff and students will be required to show proof of vaccination status and their FNU ID cards to security at the campus entrance
- All students and staff must adhere strictly to all the COVID-19 safety protocols while on campus – face covering must be worn at all times; 2m social distancing must be observed; and CareFiji app must be installed and activated on the mobile device.
“Depending on the progress of the national vaccination campaign and Government advice, we hope to be able to re-open campuses to wider groups of staff and students later in the Semester.”
