UAS pres­i­dents and student unions appeal to students to stop the spread of coronavirus

Finland’s coro­n­avirus situ­a­tion is rapidly dete­ri­o­rat­ing, and there are also chains of infec­tion among students at univer­si­ties of applied sciences. This has led to an increase in distance learn­ing and even to the closure of campuses in differ­ent parts of Finland.

Many of the infec­tions have orig­i­nated from events where many students have gath­ered during their free time. The rectors and student unions of univer­si­ties of applied sciences would like to remind students of respon­si­ble behaviour.

Infec­tion chains have had severe conse­quences; teach­ing has had to be inter­rupted at higher educa­tion insti­tu­tions, and campuses have had to be shut down in several loca­tions. Due to the chains of infec­tion from last week and weekend, Seinäjoki Univer­sity of Applied Sciences and Vaasa Univer­sity of Applied Sciences have been closed in their entirety as have the Novia Univer­sity of Applied Sciences campus in Vaasa and the Xamk campus in Savonlinna.

Every person working and study­ing on campuses now bears great respon­si­bil­ity for their own behav­iour, so we can prevent the spread of coro­n­avirus infections.

Please avoid partic­i­pa­tion in larger events at this time. Also, comply with instruc­tions on safety inter­vals, masks, and hygiene.

These are the only means for ensur­ing that univer­si­ties of applied sciences can continue to offer contact teach­ing. Teach­ing on campuses is part of main­tain­ing our commu­nity iden­tity, which many have felt is espe­cially impor­tant during these excep­tional times.

We can all reduce the risk of campuses being closed because of corona.

If you are concerned about the current corona situ­a­tion, you can contact [email protected].