12/05/2021 FNU Study Update

Posted On: May 12, 2021

Dear all,

As we all make adjustments to our daily lives to help combat the spread of COVID-19, I want to reassure our students that the University will support you through these challenging times.

Student welfare remains our core focus. As outlined in the joint statement with FNUSA on 3 May, the University is working closely with elected student representatives to ensure that all students can complete their studies, and that no student is disadvantaged. If you have a concern, please contact your College, the Office of the Registrar (details below), or your FNUSA representative.

Online study

FNU has renewed its agreement with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) Vodafone Fiji Limited and Digicel Fiji which will allow its users to access the University website www.fnu.ac.fj and Moodle platform free of charge. This means the students do not need data to view FNU online pages. Students can access resources materials via the FNU page, upload assignments and download lecture notes and other materials free of charge.

Teaching

  1. All teaching for the remainder of Semester 1 will be online.
  2. Colleges have fully suspended certain practical courses such as school-based and hospital practicums, as per government guidelines. We will follow official health advice in deciding when it is safe and feasible to re-start these courses.
  3. All other industrial attachments are also suspended. Colleges are examining the requirements of the learning outcomes to explore different possibilities such as simulations and virtual reality. A decision on the resumption of industrial attachments, or alternative arrangements, will be taken by the FNU Senate in line with official health advice.

Learning

  1. Core activities and resources are available at http://clte.fnu.ac.fj.
  2. Student Support Specialists in the Centre for Learning and Teaching Enhancement (clte@fnu.ac.fj) are available for virtual support, in addition to running virtual workshops.
  3. Senate has approved that focused learning support be given to first-year students; the Centres in charge of this will proactively reach out to all first-year students to provide support.

Assessment

  1. All students will be allowed to complete their assessment with flexibility throughout the semester, quarter and trimester. No student will be penalised for late submissions.
  2. Any student who cannot submit their assignments by the end of term will not be failed but given an “I” grade. This grade means the student can still submit their assignments throughout the year 2021, after informing their College Dean and lecturers.
  3. If students are able to complete their assessment by the end of the term but fail, they will be given supplementary assessments without any fee or charges.
  4. Practical components that cannot be converted into online mode will be scheduled at a later date, subject to official health advice.

Students are encouraged to contact their College for specific details of the teaching, learning and assessment of their course. Students may also contact the Office of the Registrar via email EOR@fnu.ac.fj

Students and staff will receive regular updates by email, telephone and general notices on social media.

I urge everyone to follow the official health advice and adhere to all government guidance to combat the spread of COVID-19. If you are experiencing symptoms like a dry cough, fever, fatigue/tiredness, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath/chest pain, aches and pains, please call 158 immediately. Please avoid all unnecessary travel. If you have to leave your home, please activate the Care FIJI app, wear a face-covering, observe strict social distancing, and practise excellent hand hygiene.

Above all, please be kind and understanding to your fellow students and staff during this difficult period. Together, as one community, we will come through these challenges.

 

Stay safe and best wishes,

Professor Toby Wilkinson

Vice-Chancellor

Fiji National University