“Q&A” Regarding Course Enrollment, Teaching and Learning Arrangements for the 2nd Semester of 2019/2020
In light of the continuing novel coronavirus outbreak, for the purpose of safeguarding the health of students, teachers and staff, tremendous efforts have been made to avoid gathering of crowds and prevent further spread of the virus. Macau University of Science and Technology has been aligning proactively with the prevention and control measures taken by the Macao S.A.R. Government and the guidelines by the Macao Higher Education Bureau. In view of the severity and continuity of the outbreak, in order to assure the study progress of students, the University opts for effective distance teaching/learning measures, such as Cloud Classroom and Online Class, to provide students with learning opportunities and materials and enable them to learn at home and avoid delay of graduation due to the outbreak.
In light of the continuing novel coronavirus outbreak, for the purpose of safeguarding the health of students, teachers and staff, tremendous efforts have been made to avoid gathering of crowds and prevent further spread of the virus. Macau University of Science and Technology has been aligning proactively with the prevention and control measures taken by the Macao S.A.R. Government and the guidelines by the Macao Higher Education Bureau. In view of the severity and continuity of the outbreak, in order to assure the study progress of students, the University Q1. Will all classes be conducted online?
No. Upon prudent evaluation by faculties and teaching units, only courses that are suitable for online teaching will be taught online on a temporary basis. The University will act in line with the guidelines of the Higher Education Bureau to make necessary adjustments or provide supplementary classes after class resumption.
To what date will the online teaching arrangement last? When normal classes resume, will the remaining uncompleted course contents continue to be taught online, or will it then switch back to regular face-to-face teaching?
The online teaching arrangement contributes to a temporary measure in the spirit of “Keep Learning amid Class Suspension”. When the outbreak mitigates to an acceptable level, the University will resume regular face-to-face classroom teaching in the earliest possible time.
Q2. When does the semester end?
Courses to be taught online will start on February 17, 2020, and they are expected to end on/before May 17 (except for graduating students); however, based on actual needs, some particular courses may be subject to supplementary classes. Nevertheless, courses that are not suitable for online teaching will be postponed to a feasible resumption date and it is not ruled out that classes may end in the summer depending on the development of the epidemic.
Q3. Will the current online teaching arrangement affect the graduation time of students?
If students have taken all the required courses in compliance with the study plan, the University will take necessary measures to avoid postponing their graduation due to the coronavirus epidemic.
Q4. Why are classes labeled differently as “Cloud Classroom”, “Online Class”, or “Class Postponed”?
“Cloud Classroom” provides dynamic real-time online classes based on a video conferencing system – Zoom;
“Online Class” refers to classes where teachers adopt the University’s Moodle system or other network tools (for example, Wechat, Whatsapp, etc.) to conduct teaching and tutoring;
“Class Postponed” refers to some courses that do not fit to be taught online, and therefore will have to be postponed to a date when resumption of normal classes is possible. The exact resumption date, however, will depend on the development of the epidemic and the relevant guidelines by the Macao SAR Government.
Q5. Will the online teaching arrangement affect students’ grades in any way?
In accordance with the guidelines provided by the Macao Higher Education Bureau, “The learning results obtained by students in distance learning should be the same as the face-to-face teaching method. Institutions can give corresponding scores and credits, but the requirements of examination must be the same as the original curriculum plan.”
Q6. Are students allowed to opt for a deferral of study for this semester?
If such a need does exist, students should apply for deferral of study to the University in accordance with the University’s existing regulations and procedures.
Q7. Without returning to Macao, how can students meet the residency requirement for study in Macao?
The University will communicate with the relevant departments to make sure that no student will be affected in terms of residency requirement due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Q8. Given the online teaching arrangements, will students be given a reduction of or exemption from tuition fees?
As stated in Q6, online teaching assumes the same requirements as face-to-face teaching with respect to learning results and credits, thus, students are obligated to pay tuition fees accordingly.
Q9. Given the online teaching arrangements, will the University refund or reduce accommodation fees?
Given that the resumption date of normal classes remains undetermined, the University does not, at this moment, rule out the option that supplementary and makeup classes will have to be conducted in summer; thus, the University will weigh in on the matter later based on how the epidemic grows.
If students have any enquires or doubts relating to the course enrollment notice or contents, please contact the office of respective faculty/Department of General Education.
