Universities scramble to move teaching and research online

Universities in Italy have made impressive efforts to digitise courses, exams and research activities that do not require lab work, amid a country-wide quarantine announced by the government on Monday 9 March, writes Florin Zubascu for Science|Business.

Italy is the EU country most affected by the rapid spread of COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus originating from Wuhan, in the Hubei province of China. As of 10 March, more than 9,000 people were infected in Italy and 463 have died.

To contain the virus, the government has taken sweeping measures, including closing down university campuses and restricting the movement of all people, with the exception of employees who need to travel to work. Universities in Italy have moved their courses online, while some will be able to give exams and hold dissertation defences through web conferencing.
Full report on the Science|Business site

In Romania, Romania Insider reports that several universities have decided to suspend courses to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country. They include the National School of Political Science and Public Administration (SNSPA) in Bucharest which announced it would suspend classes between 10 and 13 March, local Digi24.ro reported. The decision targets only SNSPA students, while the university employees will carry out their activity according to the usual work schedule.
Full report on the Romania Insider site

Qatar News Agency reports that Qatar will close schools and universities until further notice amid rising concerns over the spread of the virus. Qatar has banned the entry of people arriving from 14 countries, including Iran, Lebanon and Iraq, in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus, the government announced in a statement. Countries in the region have taken several precautionary measures to combat the outbreak, including halting flights to virus-hit countries and shutting down schools and higher education institutions.
Full report on the Al Arabiya site

The Polish Press Agency reports that universities across the country have decided to cancel lectures and adopt a wide range of measures meant to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The country’s oldest and most prestigious university, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, has indefinitely cancelled all lectures and prohibited visits to its dormitories with effect from 10 March. Jagiellonian University’s press office announced that despite lectures being cancelled, it recommends that lecturers make them available to students electronically.
Full report on the Poland In site

Nick Kampouris, for the Greek Reporter, writes that Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias announced on Tuesday 10 March that all of the country’s schools and universities would remain closed for 14 days starting from 11 March. This comes as Athens intensifies its efforts to tackle the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, in a desperate effort to get ahead of the spread of the disease.
Full report on the Greek Reporter site

For Reuters, Nathan Allen and Belen Carreno write that Spain’s Health Minister Salvador Illa confirmed on Monday 9 March that the region of Madrid would suspend all school and university activity for two weeks from Wednesday as the authorities raised the level of coronavirus transmission risk.
Full report on the Reuters site

In Jammu and Kashmir, GNS reports that the government on Wednesday 11 March ordered the closure of all government and private schools, colleges and universities across the region amid the growing scare about coronavirus. Addressing a press briefing, National Health Mission Director Bhupinder Kumar, however, announced that examinations shall be conducted by the authorities as per schedule. He also urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and use of public transport.
Full report on The Kashmir Window site

In Ukraine, Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty reports that the government said in a statement on 11 March it is banning mass gatherings and closing schools and universities for three weeks in a bid to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Some sporting events might go ahead with the agreement of the relevant international organisations, but without spectators.
Full report on the Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty site

In Hungary, Marton Eder writes for Bloomberg that the government has declared a state of emergency to help deal with the coronavirus outbreak, closing university campuses and banning large gatherings.
Full report on the Bloomberg site

In Denmark, The Local reports that the country’s prime minister has announced that the country will close all kindergartens, schools and universities for two weeks to slow the spread of coronavirus. All public sector employees who do not perform critical functions will also be sent home on paid leave.
Full report on The Local site