It's Online-Only Lectures for Indonesian Universities until WHO Norms are Met

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – University lectures in Indonesia will likely remain online-only until the campuses meet the requirements set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for conducting in-person classes amid the Covid-19 pandemic, said Indonesian Vice President Ma’ruf Amin.

So far no face-to-face lectures have been carried out in schools and higher educational institutions as part of the country’s effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

"The face-to-face lectures can only be done if the campus meets the requirements set by WHO," Ma'ruf said in a speech delivered online during the 7th Anniversary of the Nahdlatul Ulama University in Surabaya (UNUSA) Tuesday, July 21.

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He said the first requirement was to ensure the transmission of coronavirus in the campus premises was under control. The ratio should show that the number of confirmed cases in a region must be under one in two consecutive weeks.

The second requirement, he said, is for the services and health systems provided on the campuses are ready to contain the spread of Covid-19.

"The third requirement is that the region can track the case by conducting adequate Covid-19 tests," said Ma'ruf.

Every university must comply with strict health protocols such as wearing masks, ensuring physical distancing, and providing handwashing facilities.

“These are important considering campuses are the place where many students, lecturers from various regions gather,” the vice president said.

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He emphasized that face-to-face lectures could not be done amid the pandemic. Therefore, he called on the universities in the country to make full use of technology that facilitate online learning.

(Writer : Deti Mega Purnamasari | Editor: Icha Rastika)

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/07/21/13140251/wapres-perkuliahan-tatap-muka-bisa-dilaksanakan-di-kampus-jika-penuhi-syarat