What does RUAS Online mean exactly? 
On Monday 23 March, the government introduced new measures that have a far-reaching effect on our interactions and therefore make education on location impossible. For the sake of clarity for students and staff, we have decided to extend the measures, previously announced for higher education, from 6 April to 1 June. 

The Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences has noted that this week measures have continually become stricter. It’s understandable. We have now reached the point where we think of the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences as an 'online university': RUAS Online. That is the new normal. Which we will remain until further notice. The latter means at least until 1 June, but possibly longer. If national instructions allow, we will offer education at our locations again. But for now, we will operate as RUAS Online.

This measure means that - where possible - all education and assessments are offered online. Our Exam Boards have been called upon to ensure as a matter of priority that the online method of assessments meets the standards of the law and our own regulations. Education and assessments that are not suited for the online format, for example, because the physical factor is essential, will be offered when education will resume as usual.  Accurate documentation is therefore important of what has and has not been offered so that it is clear for each student what he/she must still do and in what form. 

More and more education is being offered online and the supply will increase in the coming period. The Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences calls on students to keep up. Ask your study programme how the education is offered online and make sure you don't miss lessons unnecessarily!

Students who are at a loss, are requested to report to their study programme, lecturer or Study Career Coach.

How long will the measure last?
Starting Friday 13 March up and including Monday 1 June, all physical educational activities at the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences location have been cancelled. 

What will be the situation after June 1st?
The university of applied sciences understands that there are many questions about the period between now until the summer, simply because it is not clear what the situation in the Netherlands will be like until then. The university of applied sciences will continue to work online for as long as necessary. What will happen at summertime, or after that, cannot be predicted, and national agreements will have to be made about that as well. We do not rule out the possibility that our annual schedule will have to be rearranged and that it will have consequences for the holidays.  As soon as this is clear, you will be informed.

Do I have to pay tuition now that no education is being offered at the physical locations?
Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences understands the impact of the current situation. In the previous update, RUAS already reported that tuition fees should simply be paid, because although education does not take place in our physical locations, it does take place in other ways. In addition, RUAS cannot independently decide to waive tuition fees; this authority lies with the government. That is why RUAS refers to the website of the Education Executive Agency (DUO) Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs, which lists the possibilities offered by the government for student finance and tuition fees.

Am I allowed to come to a Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences location?
Do you have health complaints? Stay at home. Can you work from home? Work at home. Are you expected to work from one of the open locations? Observe the precautionary measures.

Students can study independently in open learning centres if they do not have the means for education online at home. The various book distribution points at the library will be closed from Wednesday 18 March through Monday 6 April. Material from the library is available online. Information specialists will actively help students and lecturers to find online teaching and study materials. They will provide support by e-mail or telephone in the event of a guidance question and, if necessary, an appointment will be made at the Museumpark location. More information is available on our library page. This measure is in line with the provisions regarding the Counsellor's Office and IT support, where questions can be asked via e-mail and, if necessary, a person to person appointment can be made.

Independent study in small groups is discouraged. 
Try to communicate with each other via e-mail or WhatsApp as much as possible instead of meeting in person. All forms of education that involve physical contact, such as group assignments for which you need to get together, such as street interviews and surveys, cannot take place.

Which locations will remain open?
In the past few days, an inventory has been made of the number of students and staff present in the buildings that were still open. On the basis of these statistics, it has been decided to also close Museumpark and Willem de Kooning Academy locations from Tuesday 24 March. This means that from that date, only the locations Kralingse Zoom and Rochussenstraat will be accessible (from 08:00 to 17:00).

What are the opening hours?
The buildings that will open, will apply the so-called summer schedule. So locations will be open from 08:00 to 17:00.

The Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences is suspending the Binding Study Recommendation this academic year. How does that work exactly?
As previously communicated, current first-year and second-year students will receive a binding study recommendation, but no formal consequences will be attached to this. So no one has to leave their study programme. This does not mean that the university does not attach value to the study recommendation, on the contrary. Students should take that recommendation very seriously and discuss how to approach the continuation of their studies with their study career coach. The students' own responsibility is, therefore, expressly appealed to. Certainly in view of the fact that the credits that have not yet been obtained must still be achieved at a later time.

RUAS expects students to actually follow the programme that is offered online. At the moment there are no holidays, where possible education continues as usual.

What about mandatory lectures, assessments, Binding Study Recommendation, et cetera?
We understand the many questions about lectures, assessments, Binding Study Recommendation, etcetera. The Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences is discussing such sector-wide subjects with other universities of applied sciences and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. As soon as a national guideline has been formulated, or a guideline specifically for the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences is available, we will communicate any new guideline.

Will graduation take place?
Graduation sessions up to and including 6 April will take place, for the time being. This means that graduation guidance will also take place. Students and lecturers must come to agreements about this, for example, if guidance can be offered at a distance. Graduation sessions from 6 April will be included in later communication updates.

Can I submit study assignments?
Submitting study assignments can, in theory, take place. Students must discuss with their study programmes how this can be realised. 

Have interviews for Study Programme Checks been cancelled?
All planned Study Programme Checks have been cancelled up to and including 6 April. Planned interviews from 6 April will be included in later communication updates.

How will the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences deal with planned consultations and meetings?
We are cutting back on our meeting culture. Meetings and sessions about corporate-critical processes will take place. It is up to the director or chairperson of a meeting to determine if the above-mentioned is the case.  

What about internship activities?
Internship activities can, in theory, take place. It is up to the internship provider/business and the intern. The measure to stop educational activities is an addition to the measure that was communicated earlier that day, which included the travel policy and cancelling events, such as the Open Day. 

What about internships in HealthCare and in Education?
Now that the schools are closed, students on internships in education are often asked whether they can help with taking care of children of parents with vital professions or with digitising of education. Students on internships in Care may be asked to assist in the provision of care.

The following is important here: the starting point is that the students do an internship. If you have an employment contract, you must follow the policy of the school/organisation (your employer). If you work at a school on the basis of an internship contract (intern) and your internship address asks you not to come in, you will stay at home and we will look for a way to prevent study delay as much as possible. If the internship address asks you to be present, we assume that you will be.

For now, we assume that you are available for school (online) on your school days and will not go to your internship address on those days. If you are hesitant, for example, because you or someone close to you has health problems, please contact your study programme lecturer or Study Career Coach.

Is there a NSE this year?
Given the impact of government measures on the coronavirus for education, the National Student Survey (NSE) will not take place this year.

 

What about exams?
RUAS Online will try to have as many assessments as possible take place. It will be evaluated for each assessment whether it can take place or not. Assessments requiring physical actions or skills from the student will most likely not take place. We are looking for digital solutions for assessments that are normally taken in a room where several students and an invigilator (supervisor) are present. In the course of next week, each study programme will make clear which of their assessments can take place and which cannot.

How is our university of applied sciences organising distance education?
To this end, we have made a magazine Distance Learning for and by our RUAS colleagues. It contains manuals for the following: providing online and LIVE lectures, organisation of peer feedback, didactic perspectives and many practical tips, among other things.

Of course, we will add new sections to the magazine in the near future, but the most important information to get started is included. And we will continue to encourage students to spend time on independent study. 

Who can help me?
Sometimes the development of digital learning materials is difficult. Is a digital work method suitable for the objective? Is it accessible enough for your students? And how do you use that specific application exactly? In that case it is great that you can turn to fellow teachers or IT supporters to help you with your question.

The most important source of information and inspiration are of course your immediate colleagues. They face the same challenges. Will you consult them first?

In addition to the information you can find on: onderwijsopafstand.hr.nl, there are other knowledge databases and FAQs that you can consult online. Hint provides information about working from home and about the use of Office 365.

In addition to your immediate colleagues, there is a group of lecturers from the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences who have experience with digital didactics and have signed up to help. In addition to preparing and teaching their own lessons, they will help colleagues with these types of issues. You can submit a case or issue to them via the department of Administration, Information and Control (FIT) self service portal  or by e-mailing your case to service@hr.nl (subject: ‘digitale didactiek’). The self-service portal is the best place to see the latest responses to your question.

Do you have specific IT-related questions?
For questions about working at a distance you can check HINT here. FAQs about using Office 365 are accessible here (on HINT in Dutch only).

If you have general questions about the IT applications, the Service Point colleagues are there to support you. During this period, they are not physically present at work, but you can also ask your question via the self service portaal of FIT or send to service@hr.nl. If necessary, they will return your call and help you out.

Do you want to help out your colleagues?
Everyone with experience with executing distance education can support colleagues online by using Tools (such as Microsoft Teams and FeedbackFruits). Please e-mail to corona.info@hr.nl with subject heading: ‘I can help’.

 

What happens if my studies are delayed due to the Coronavirus situation?
We must decide per individual situation. The Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences is doing everything possible to limit negative effects on study progress. If you are likely to have study delay, report it to the Study Career Coach.

Are internship activities still taking place?
Internship activities can in theory take place. It is up to the internship provider/business and the intern. The measure to stop educational activities is in addition to the measure that was communicated earlier that day, which included the travel policy and cancelling events, such as the Open Day. 

What about Dual-track education and combining work and a study programme?
In reality it appears that students who are interns and/or work in a dual education programme, are occasionally asked to no longer go to school, because their employer wants to limit risk of infection. In such cases where people combine education at the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences with corresponding work, the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences respect this position. In cases of an internship the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences is of the opinion that education is a priority, but the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences will do as much as possible in consultation with the parties involved to reach a suitable solution for all parties.

What should I do if work, study or internship is abroad?
Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences has previously communicated to stop all travel until the end of April. In the middle of April we will consider whether this period should be extended. At this moment it is not possible to estimate about the situation after 1 May, and for that reason we advise everyone to be cautious when organising trips between 1 May and the summer holidays; especially when it comes to air travel.

Are you a student? Register in Osiris Abroad before departure. Employees who have booked their trip through CoIA Travel, are already registered at CoIA, and do need to do this. Make sure that you are well-informed, especially before your departure for an internship, or study-related trip. Read the travel advice about the area where you are travelling to (Travel advice Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and make sure that you have adequate cancellation insurance and travel insurance

Follow instructions from the local authorities.

Why do I need to register in Osiris before going abroad?
For your own safety, it is important that students register in Osiris in time and completely, before they travel abroad. In case of unexpected calamities in a certain country, it is immediately clear who is in a certain area. This makes communication and repatriation easier.

Where lies the responsibility for an alternative educational programme?
In case of annulled travel, the responsibility to offer adequate educational alternatives lies with the institute, in consultation with the student and the Exam Board.

I have already incurred costs for my internship abroad, or study related trip abroad. What now?
The leniency scheme previously only applied to students whose internship or study activities in China were cancelled, now it applies to all countries. If a student has incurred costs in this respect (travel costs, visa costs, accommodation costs) that cannot be refunded in any other way, the leniency scheme becomes effective. Students who have incurred costs in this respect will be further informed by their own institute. Given the different circumstances in different countries, the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences needs a few days to find out if the leniency scheme needs further tightening. 

What about enrollment from MBO and Havo, or a transfer to university?
Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences receives a lot of questions about enrolling for a study programme after completion of MBO or HAVO. There is a chance that, as a result of the corona crisis, not all prospective students will get all formalities ready in time to register. The university recognises this problem, just as the government does, and is investigating what appropriate measures can be taken. The basic principle is that prospective students should not be the victim if they do not get formalities in order, through no fault of their own.

Foreign students without a visa requirement are also included. This issue is receiving national attention and is also relevant for our students who want to transfer to the university. RUAS will endeavour to ensure that this group of students is not rejected on formalities.

What’s the deadline for Minor registration?
The deadline for Minor registration at the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences has been changed from March 31 to May 14, the date that already applied to the ‘Kies op Maat’ Minors. Students are urged to register on time. A different deadline has always applied to students from abroad, which is 1 May, and that date will be maintained.

Do the current measures have any consequences for the holidays?
At the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, we are working hard. Very hard. Colleagues are doing everything they can to make sure that education at a distance is possible. That takes time and energy. Therefore this organisation needs 100% input from everyone to make RUAS Online a success. It is heartwarming to see how colleagues and students are becoming familiar with the ‘new normal’ despite the challenges that we are faced with.

It is, therefore, a good thing that when it’s time for May break that we actually take a break. The same applies to Easter and Ascension Day. It will be a different celebration than we are used to, taking into consideration the current societal developments. But it is very important to take that time and find moments of relaxation. All work and no play does not do anyone any good.

Colleagues who want to continue to work throughout that period are of course free to do so. But please look after yourselves. Students will not be offered online education during the May break and on holidays, but there is always time for independent study. In this situation as well, the advice is to take care of yourself during these odd times.

We may possibly need a part of the summer holiday to catch up on educational components and assessments. As soon as this becomes clear, we will notify you.

I have one or more children, what about working from home?
The many urgent measures that have to be taken, both by the government and by the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, require improvisation from all of us. For example, how do we deal with the fact that childcare and schools are closed and that home education is needed? We realise that the current situation presents many employees with a challenge. We are currently working hard on additional policy measures.

Until greater clarity, we will apply the following, at least until 6 April: Employees do not have to take leave in the coming period if they are occasionally unable to work due to the government’s measures. As soon as we have adopted additional policy, we may renege on the course that we have set. For the time being, we hope that we all will be able to remain calm and let the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences continue to operate under these difficult circumstances.

Our advice is to take note of the magazine OnderwijsopAfstand.hr.nl https://onderwijsopafstand.hr.nl/onlinemagazine/home/ (Dutch only, the English version will follow ASAP).
We also request that you are up-to-date on matters concerning privacy.

In situations where it is structurally impossible to work most of the working hours at home, because the care task demands all the attention, we understand that it can give an employee more peace of mind to look for possible solutions in consultation with your manager. In that case, it may help to take leave or to use your Long-term Employability hours. But a suggestion could also be that in that case some of the hours are compensated later, when the first crisis is over and everyone's commitment is needed, to once again educate on location.

How do I set up a good home workplace?
An office chair or monitor at the right height, these are things that are not always obvious at home. Nevertheless, it is important to also create a good working environment when working from home. A workplace where you can work healthy and effectively, this also ensures better productivity. Below we have listed the points for attention that you can use to work at home.

Points of attention:

• Variety. It is important for both your productivity and your body not to work continuously for too long. Alternation can be done in different ways: alternating work posture, work tasks, regularly looking away from the screen, taking micro breaks (for example 20 seconds). Using pause software can help with this.
• It is important to pay attention to music and climate. Restless music can disrupt your concentration. Also ensure a good climate in your home. It differs per individual, but around twenty degrees is often a good temperature. You do work which involves little physical exercise so you do not warm up, and then it must be comfortable.
• You can set your workplace well with these recommendations. These tips will also come in handy when we can work at the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences’ locations again.
• Make more use of Windows keyboard shortcuts instead of the mouse.
• Limit the use of tablet and smartphone, both in terms of the total duration per day and the continuous duration. If tasks can be done at a fixed workplace then that is where they should be performed as well. If you work with a laptop, it is best to use a separate keyboard and a separate mouse. Another tip is to pull up your chair properly. This prevents too much stress on your neck and shoulders, because when you are further from the table or desk you work with stretched arms.
• A good workplace everywhere. Sitting and using screens often also occurs in your private time. The same risks apply. It is therefore also important to alternate activities after working hours and to be alert to signals from your body. Would you like to know more? If you have any questions about the ergonomic setting of your workplace or would like further advice, please contact one of our health and safety professionals at arbo@hr.nl.

How can I work online as safely as possible?
There are indications that other platforms besides Teams are also being used for video conferencing, such as Zoom.us. RUAS understands that employees are looking for opportunities, but there are risks involved if everyone deploys systems on their own initiative. Teams was purchased by RUAS as part of Office365, is managed and secured by the IT department and is specially configured for the university. This does not apply to other providers. Without further agreements, organization and management, RUAS runs privacy and security risks. In addition to video conferencing, this also applies to other applications that are not hosted by RUAS.

If Teams really falls short in functionality, or if there is a need for systems that are not currently offered by RUAS, please contact the information manager of your institute, knowledge center or service department. Information managers can advise on the use of software and, if necessary, initiate a process to offer additional software in a secure university environment. If you have any questions about the use of personal data due to changed processes, please contact privacy@hr.nl.

The NCSC website also provides some points of attention in connection with working from home and current cyber threats (not available in English).

Is an occupational welfare officer available?
During these turbulent times, insecurity, questions and or feelings arise, regarding the Coronavirus. Despite closed locations, staff members can, when necessary, meet with the staff welfare officer: Liselot de Jonge. If you find it difficult dealing with the current situation, experience feelings of insecurity or find that all these changes are difficult to cope with, please contact her. 

In addition, you can contact her about other issues such as personal and or work-related problems, the balance or disruption between work en personal life, imminent stress, burn-out and absence/sickness, dealing with organisational changes and developments.

 

What should I do in case of health complaints?
The Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences adheres to the guidelines of the National Institute for Public Health and Environmental Protection (RIVM). If you have a fever of more than 38 degrees, or more, with respiratory complaints, coughing, or shortness of breath, or have been in a risk area, or have had contact with someone who has been infected with the Coronavirus, call the doctor (GP), or the local GGD.

Stop registration home quarantine or infection, regular situation of calling in sick
In view of the current state of affairs with regard to the discontinuation of teaching at locations and the fact that the majority of employees work from home, we will no longer register and communicate home quarantines and Coronavirus infections. Managers will no longer have to report this. However, the following is important: in the event of illness, we naturally request that this be done via the regular sickness notification procedure. 

How can we meet with the Employability Advisor and Occupational Physician?
The agreement with the occupational health office is that all planned meetings with the Employability Advisor and Occupational Physician will be conducted by phone.

I am worried because I have a fever and respiratory complaints
In that case, consult your doctor or local GGD by telephone. Report it directly to your Study Career Coach, course director or direct manager if you are suspected of being infected with the Coronavirus and have therefore been placed in quarantine and/or are being tested.

We understand that current developments may cause uneasiness, but we ask that everyone remain calm. Especially at this time, we have to deal with the situation sensibly and act on the basis of the facts and guidelines used by the authorities.

 

Is it possible to hold events at the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences?
Events of Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences that are not related to education are immediately suspended. Events that are directly related to education and lead to a gathering of more than one hundred people will also be suspended, in accordance with government measures. For example, large-scale lectures, trial study and diploma ceremonies. Should students need their diploma for perhaps a job application or transfer study programme, then they can contact their study programme (institute).

Will the Open Day of 28 March be held?
Secondary school students and senior secondary vocational students who are in the exam phase can virtually visit our Open Days. They can ask students and teachers questions using various channels and learn everything about their education. Actually, exactly the same as during an Open Day on location, but with a computer or tablet. More information about the online Open Days will follow as soon as possible. In this way, prospective students can carefully choose their study programme.

When prospective students apply to their study programme of choice this coming academic year, 

the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences will be able to keep them-up-to-date on the latest developments here at RUAS and at their study programme.

Diploma ceremonies are cancelled. Can I get my diploma if I deed it?
Diploma ceremonies are cancelled. Should students need their diploma for perhaps a job application or transfer study programme, then they can contact their study programme (institute).

 

What can you do yourself to prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus?

• Wash your hands more than normal, for 20 seconds long. Check how to do it right (PDF, 581KB). 
• Use paper tissues for blowing your nose and throw the paper away after use. Then wash your hands.
• Cough or sneeze in your elbow.
• Do not shake hands, but find another way friendly way to greet each other.

Should I wash my hands more often?
Yes, that is the advice from RIVM and GGD. For this reason, the cleaning company is extra vigilant to ensure that soap dispensers are filled and that towel rolls are changed sufficiently. As soon as RIVM prescribes otherwise, additional measures will be taken. Report any problems or malfunctions to service@hr.nl of bel 010 – 794 1111.

How do I prevent panic?
Make sure that you are well informed about the latest facts concerning the Coronavirus. More information is available on the websites of RIVM and GGD or use the general information number of the authorities: 0800-1351.

We understand that current developments may cause uneasiness, but we ask that everyone remain calm. Especially at this time, we have to deal with the situation sensibly and act on the basis of the facts and guidelines used by the authorities.

To whom should I report health complaints? 
The doctor (GP) or GGD determines whether home quarantine is necessary. If you have to stay at home by order of the GGD or doctor because of the risk of infection with the Coronavirus, report this to your manager (as an employee) or to your Study Career Coach (as a student). They will register this so that the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences can continue to securely monitor the number of possible cases of illness.

Report the following info: name student number, date, telephone number where you can be reached (home/hospital), tested for Coronavirus (yes, no), contact person GGD.

When can I work from home?
Do you have health complaints? Stay at home. Can you work from home? Work at home. Are you expected to work from one of the open locations? Observe the precautionary measures.

Working from home
The central government states the following in their guideline:

• Are you ill, or do you have common cold complaints, stay at home.
• Everyone can be asked to work from home as much as possible.
  • Come to agreements with your direct manager, also include which services are necessary.
  • If working from home is not possible, discuss with your direct manager what to do.

We are working on an instruction for staff to work from home.

Instruction for working from home
When you want to work from home you can use the Microsoft Office365 environment. To do so go to https://portal.office.com and log in with your username: gebruikersnaam@hr.nl. This environment offers Outlook for our e-mail, OneDrive for your personal files and folders, and Teams for collaborative (project) documents. Are you looking for files placed in the shared folders that you cannot find here? Go to https://myfiles.hr.nl. On HINT you can find available manuals for using Microsoft Office365 (search term: “slimmer samenwerken”).

Home-work environment
At this time, the home-work environment is much used. Because of this, it will be slower than normal. Whenever possible try to make use of the Microsoft Office365 solution for working at home.

Telephone service
If you want to transfer your fixed work line (number) to your mobile phone, and you are not at one of our locations, e-mail to: service@hr.nl. State your username, fixed work number and the mobile phone number to which you want calls to be transferred.

Do I still have to study, work together or be in the same room with someone from a contaminated area?Yes, continue to treat each other with respect. If that person is showing no symptoms, the risk of getting infected with the virus is small. 

I received a sick report from a student or staff member who may be infected. Where should I report this?
Make sure to report this as soon as possible to the institute's dean, direct manager of a department, research centre or Centre of Expertise. This report will be registered so that we can carefully monitor the number of possible cases of illness.

We have written a specific process for reporting illness: Flowchart (in Dutch). 

What is quarantine?
Quarantine is a precaution to combat the spread of an infectious disease. A person in quarantine is not sick, but has had contact with a patient who has been tested positively for an infection. People in quarantine, are not contagious. People stay in quarantine until the incubation period has lapsed. That is the maximum amount of time in between the moment of a possible infection and the moment that people start to have health complaints. If during that period people have not become ill, the quarantine is ended. 

What is home quarantine?
An example, of home quarantine is when someone who is not ill, has to stay at home until it is certain that this person is not contagious for others. This period lasts a maximum of two weeks in the case of the novel Coronavirus. The person in quarantine stays at home in their own space. Together with their roommates, they will receive information about measures to be taken to prevent any possible infection.

What is isolation?
A person held in isolation is ill, or there is the possibility of illness. Due to isolation these person cannot infect others. People who are in isolation at home or in hospital are being treated. It depends on the seriousness of the illness symptons.

 

 

Returning from a contaminated area
Keep an eye out on your health. In case of minor respiratory complaints, RIVM recommends staying at home. If the symptoms worsen, contact your General Practitioner or GGD by telephone. 

Contact your GP or the GGD immediately by telephone in case of a fever with respiratory symptoms (e.g. coughing or shortness of breath) and agree with the doctor whether you can go to work / to school. If this is not the case, report this immediately to your Study Career Coach (SCC), your Course Director or direct supervisor by e-mail. Report the following: name, student number, date, telephone number that you can be reached at (home/ hospital), if you were tested for Corona, contact person GGD. Please consult the specific Flowchart for reporting illness.

Which areas are contaminated with the virus?
Current and most accurate situation about the Coronavirus can be found on the RVIM website.

What should I do if I am returning from an uncontaminated area?
If you return from an uncontaminated area, no special measures apply. In case of doubt or concern, the authorities advise you to contact your GP by phone. For questions, you can refer to the website of the RIVM of GGD. 

 

Is all travel abroad suspended?
All study-related travel that was planned up to and including the end of the current academic year will be cancelled. Initially, this concerned travel until the end of April, but given the measures taken by the government in response to the Coronavirus, the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences considers it wise to extend the period up to the end of this academic year. We will assess study-related travel for the academic year 2020/2021 at a later time.

Can I travel abroad on my own, for example, for personal reasons?
Students and staff who decide to travel anyway despite the measure, travel by definition for personal reasons. The Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences accepts no responsibility or liability. Any study-related or intern-related activity during the trip will not get awarded with study credit.

 

What about students and staff who are abroad?
Last week-end the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences started recalling all students from abroad who depend on air travel to return. These students have been contacted to this end. If they want to stay abroad after our repeated requests, the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences will respect that decision. However, this means that the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences can no longer be held to the duty of care for these students, should their situation abroad worsen unexpectedly. Of course, we will offer help where possible.

Where can students abroad get help if they need it? 
In case of (imminent) calamities abroad, a student, or staff member must always call this number:
0031 - 10 794 99 99.

At this number you can reach someone to offer primary support 365 days of the year, 24 hours per day and 7 days per week. The officer is either employed by the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (when you call during regular office hours), or is an employee of ISP (International Security Partners). The number must not be used for other questions such as internships, deadlines, or other business that is not urgent. Students and staff can call this emergency number direct, or request to be transferred via a local telephone office by means of a collect call or reverse charge call.

Students abroad who have questions about less urgent matters such as grants, can contact CoIA Exchange: coia-exchange@hr.nl.

 

Information for international students in Rotterdam
In case of (imminent) calamities international student can always call this number:  0031 - 10 794 99 99.
At this number you can reach primary support 365 days of the year, 24 hours per day and 7 days per week

Questions about housing can be sent to coia-housing@hr.nl.

Questions about practical things such as deregistration in case of premature departure from Rotterdam, can be sent to CoIA-Student Support: coia-studentsupport@hr.nl.

International students who need a doctor (GP) in Rotterdam, can find one through https://gpforinternationals.erasmusmc.nl.

Can study-related trips to Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences take place?
Study-related trips to Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences can no longer take place from Thursday 12 March.

 

How is information about Coronavirus communicated at RUAS?
The Crisis Management Team is monitoring the situation carefully and is anticipating various possible scenarios. If there are new developments, it is communicated via Hint and rotterdamuas.com. Also, the Q&A section is regularly updated. If necessary, additional communication is done via social media and e-mail.

Where can I find the current state of affairs for Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences?
On the website via news page coronavirus and via Hint News.

What policy is Rotterdam University of Applied sciences following?
We are following the current policy of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (Dutch: RIVM) and the local Municipal Health Service (Dutch: GGD). In addition, the central government has published a guideline that specifically applies to education. 

Where can I find additional information on the situation?
Additional information about the Coronavirus is available on the websites of National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RVIM), and the GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond. You can also call the information line of RVIM: 0800-1351.

Where can ask my question regarding the situation at Rotterdam Univeristy of Applied Sciences?
If your question has not been answered in this Q&A, you can send a question to the Corona Information Point of the university as an employee or student. Email: Corona.info@hr.nl

 

Is your question a general question about the Coronavirus?
Check the websites of the RIVM or GGD Rijnmond, or call the RIVM information line: 0800-1351.

Is your question specifically about Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences? Then please send an e-mail to: corona.info@hr.nl.