Important update from your Principal - Semester 2
Dear Strathclyde Students,
As we approach the later stages of Semester 1, I am writing to give you an update on our planned approach for Semester 2. This has been informed by our experience of successfully delivering our learning and teaching in Semester 1.
I have been pleased by the positive feedback which has been received from across all four Faculties on your engagement with learning and teaching within Semester 1. Our academic and support staff have recognised and appreciated the very positive way in which you have engaged with online learning and the wider online support and development opportunities that we have been working hard to provide.
For those of you who have been able to benefit from the essential on-campus activities towards the latter part of this semester, we have been impressed by your professionalism and enthusiasm to engage in learning within a very different campus environment, with the enhanced safety measures in place.
We are all very aware that planning ahead in the current environment is extremely challenging and that we all wish for more certainty in the months ahead. Our approach for Semester 2 reflects this, while providing the necessary flexibility to adapt to the changing external environment, consistent with the current Scottish Government guidance.
We recognise the need to take a flexible, supportive approach which can be adjusted according to the needs of your educational programme and the requirements of accrediting and professional bodies, aligned with our recognition of the particular impacts of the pandemic on your individual circumstances. To this end:
- The first 2-3 weeks of Semester 2, including Consolidation and Development week, will be presented online, from week commencing 11th January, with the expectation that teaching will transition to a blended learning mode of delivery over a 3–5 week period, aligned to the requirements of Scottish Government guidance.
- As with Semester 1, this approach provides us all with the flexibility to adapt to the changing external environment while still providing you with certainty to plan your travel and personal arrangements for the early part of 2021.
- As with Semester 1, your School or Department will keep you updated on the plans for your programme of study. Please do speak to your School or Department if you have any particular queries regarding arrangements for your programme.
As we approach the Formal Assessment Period for Semester 1, I would also like to take the opportunity to wish you every success in your forthcoming examinations and assessments. As with everything else this year, they will take a different form, being presented online. Your School or Department will have already shared with you the detail of your online assessments.
I would also like to encourage you to review our updated Frequently Asked Questions which provide some additional information on how we are delivering online assessments and the preparations you can undertake beforehand to maximise your opportunities for success.
I will be writing to you again shortly, to update on preparations for the winter break. In the meantime, I hope you continue to keep safe and well.
Best wishes,
Jim
Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice-Chancellor