In this changing world less face-to-face interaction and more online involvement, educational institutes are rapidly adapting to the new situation. At UCR, we are doing a number of things to keep interaction going.
Our professors have taken up the task to teach via an online platform, which means that students can still ‘go’ to classes, talk to their classmates and get feedback from the professors. They also get homework and need to finish assignments. Some of these may have changed a little, but students’ education has not halted. Senior Projects, a larger piece of individual work revolving around research, are going strong.
Next to classes, some of the professors have been joining the greater news cycle and informing the world about the developments. Immunologist prof. dr. Ger Rijkers who teaches Biomedical Science and Life Science has appeared on television (at 35:35) and in other news sources. International Relations professor David Criekemans is still active on his YouTube channel, writes articles and is being interviewed regularly.
Applying for UCR has been fully online since the start off the Fall semester in 2019, which means that those interested in studying at UCR can still apply. Our dedicated admissions team is still reviewing applications, but now from their home offices. All students are interviewed online, which was already the case for those applicants who couldn’t travel to the Netherlands for their interview. At the end of the process, decisions are made and students are invited to start their studies at UCR in Fall.
Those who want to learn more about UCR or the Netherlands are getting the opportunity to do so via our Online Open Day on October 23rd. We are joining more and more online fairs and looking into other ways to connect to prospective students.
We also have not forgotten the younger generation. Kids Colleges have switched to an online version with Prof. dr. Ger Rijkers teaching the first online Kids College. Students in the Law track together with the Roosevelt Institute for American Studies and the Roosevelt Foundation have started teaching Online Four Freedoms classes for primary school and high school students.
The contributions and comments to the community diary from students, faculty, staff and alumni have been wonderful to read. Learning about the situation in different countries, but also around the corner in Bagijnhof 5 keep us all close together. Seeing how students manage to find joy in Minecrafting our Dean’s face and celebrating Passover with their families makes us feel like we may be able to pass through this abnormal period in style.
New virtual events and activities are announced regularly, so keep an eye out for more!