University of Nicosia | Commencement of Fall 2021 Semester
The University of Nicosia welcomes its entire university community on campus, especially its new and returning students, mindful to ensure: the health and safety of the University community and society at large; the provision of high-quality education; the recognition of the graduates’ award titles; inclusion and equal opportunity to education; and the provision of the same learning experience for everyone.
The Fall 2021 Semester will commence on 27 September 2021 with face-to-face, on-campus courses and with the display of a SafePass, in accordance with all health and safety protocols of the state.
More specifically, all laboratory courses and the vast majority of the remaining courses will be offered on campus with physical presence. In the case of non-laboratory courses, where the capacity of the classroom/learning space of a section/course is less than the number of students registered for the section/course, then a blended/hybrid learning model will apply, with registered students divided into two groups that will alternate between face-to-face and online lectures each week. This will ensure the same learning experience for all students, since they will all attend an equal number of lectures/learning activities either physically or online. The use of Livestreaming technology will provide for the synchronous online broadcast of the learning process in the classroom/learning space, while synchronous self-study digital material will be available on the University’s e-learning platform. In exceptional cases, a section/course may be offered fully online, following relevant communication with the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education and approval by the Rectorate.
A valid SafePass must be displayed at each entry point in each building, in order to access the University premises.
Livestreaming and/or asynchronous self-study digital material will be available for students who belong to vulnerable groups or cannot return to Cyprus, as well as for students who, for any serious reason, cannot attend classes with physical presence (face-to-face). Students under these categories will have to apply to the University for an exemption from attendance with physical presence.
The Medical School will operate in accordance with its own model based on the various restrictions/requirements pertaining to the medical discipline, especially with regards to the requirement for vaccination and occupational health clearance. Certain laboratory courses under the Department of Life and Health Sciences may, likewise, be adapted.
Students will have the opportunity to get vaccinated by appointment at the University of Nicosia Medical Centre.
Other provisions related to the operation of the new academic year will be included in the University’s COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocol, which is continuously updated and available at UNIC Portal.
The related Senate and Council decisions, dated 7 and 8 September 2021, respectively, conform to the decision by the Council of the Ministers of the Republic of Cyprus on 2 September 2021 and the decree issued by the Ministry of Health on 3 September 202, as well as the announcement issued by the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education, dated 24 August 2021, while also taking into consideration input from student unions/associations. Moreover, the decisions were preceded by dialogue with all related stakeholders, including students, faculty, and administrative staff, as well as the faculty union and staff committee.
The decision is based on and purports to:
- ensure the health and safety of the University community and society at large;
- ensure the provision of quality education;
- safeguard the recognition of our graduates’ award titles;
- ensure equal access to education;
- provide inclusive education;
- ensure the provision of the same learning experience for all students registered in a course;
- adhere to data protection principles and acts;
- offer the opportunity to students to attend on-campus info sessions on COVID-19 and vaccination, and to interact with medical and life and health sciences experts;
- provide the opportunity to students to get vaccinated at the University of Nicosia Medical Centre.
All University administrative services, pertaining to key functions such as admissions, tuition payments, issuance of confirmation letters and timetables, will operate normally both face-to-face and online. To avoid overcrowding on campus and to safeguard the health and safety of our University community, students are encouraged to use the University’s administrative e-services via the Student Portal (https://portal.unic.ac.cy/). Detailed information is available at the following link: www.unic.ac.cy/fall2021/faq/.
The Rectorate, the Administrative Management, the Senate, and the University Council once again express their warmest thanks and appreciation to the entire University community, for their pivotal role in the University’s effective response to the pandemic and in ensuring the delivery of high-quality education.
