International students need to study online and complete course from campus when safe to return, says Emma Lancaster
The onset of the Coronavirus pandemic is transforming the traditional way of imparting education. However, now new tools are being added to the labs and lecture theatres.
Earlier, virtual learning was only considered a supplement to classroom learning. While many will still prefer physically attending classes, the pandemic is bringing a shift in how online learning is perceived. We are confident blended learning will become a larger part of the education system, with a combination of face-to-face teaching and online teaching.
An understanding across academia that talented international students need to start their study programmes virtually and then eventually complete the course from the campus when safe to return to. This means students won't have to skip a semester or waste a full year.
While Indian students have been historically cautious about distance learning (especially for higher studies), the realities of COVID and the fact that high quality programmes have been developed with leading universities are changing attitudes. In addition to programmes with top 100 universities in the US and U.K., Australian programmes like the Charles Sturt University Study Centre in Australia have introduced additional measures to allow students to try face-to-face virtual and blended learning risk-free.
In the UK, the University of Huddersfield moved its courses online earlier this year in the wake of the global pandemic and locked international borders. With the campus reopening for Autumn 2020, students who had begun studying online can now progress to their degree.
The key test though is the experience of students and their teachers. Academics say they have confidence that students are satisfied with their learning. Students and their teachers have risen to the challenge. They are both to be commended for the work they have undertaken and the online skills they have acquired which will remain part of their experience.
The writer is CEO, Study Abroad