Over the past months, education officials have been forced to cancel classes and close the doors to campuses across the world in response to the growing coronavirus outbreak. While class closures, dips in enrollment at the beginning of a new semester and cancellations may be temporary, it’s hard to foresee whether the novel coronavirus will result in long-term disruption to the higher education system. One of the biggest concerns for the sector at large is the percentage of international students that make up the domestic higher education markets.
In the US alone, Chinese students make up to 33.7 per cent of the foreign student population, while Indian students comprise of 18.4 per cent. The most effective tool in keeping student retention and maintaining access to learning has been online courses. Universities across the US, in particular, have adjusted their programs in response to the spread of the coronavirus. While the majority of colleges and universities around the world integrate some form of online education into their coursework, moving all programs online may prove challenging.
While some universities may already have strong online systems, smaller universities may struggle under the weight of the demand. University course creators should work closely with their IT departments to ensure their programs are able to be supported online. With online learning the way to go universities should also ensure students and staff are protected while on campus. Administrators should undertake simple measures to prevent the spread of the disease on their campuses.
This should include instructing students on the appropriate protocols for hand washing, covering sneezes and coughs within their elbows, and self-isolating if they are experiencing flu or cold-like symptoms.
Universities and colleges yet to implement changes to campuses in response to the novel coronavirus should take cues from others who have already taken action. They should analyze the steps already taken by other educators to understand what has worked, what hasn’t worked and how to tackle the challenges they may face. With the spread of the disease expected to worsen before it gets better, administrators should take quick action to safeguard their campuses and students in preparation for potential closures.
