Bremen’s Senator for Science and Ports, Dr. Claudia Schilling says: “Based on the current state of knowledge and the developments to be expected with regard to the coronavirus pandemic, the universities in the State of Bremen will, at present, be offering a hybrid semester combining face-to-face and digital classes in the winter semester 2020/21.” This means that primarily those activities will take place at the universities which are absolutely dependent on the use of the infrastructure available on site, such as laboratories and workshops, and which can be carried out within the universities’ premises in accordance with existing hygiene measures. Schilling: “This solution allows us to continue to avoid large groups of students in a confined space, but still ensure that the students are able to carry out practical sessions at the university’s premises.”
As far as hygiene conditions and legal regulations permit, especially first semester students are to attend individual courses at the universities in order to get a good start to university life. Senator Schilling: “The universities and the State and University Library will provide regulated access to study rooms and workplaces on the respective campuses, in adherence to the existing hygiene concepts and legal regulations, in order to provide students with the necessary resources for their successful study and good exam preparation, even under the continuing difficult conditions of the pandemic.” The lectures in the winter semester 2020/21 will start on 2 November 2020 in accordance with the resolution of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany (KMK).
Vice President Academic is Convinced that the Hybrid Solution Is the Way to Go
“A hybrid solution is the way to go given the anticipated circumstances,” says Professor Thomas Hoffmeister, Vice President Academic. The university will offer face-to-face activities in areas where they really necessary and particularly valuable. Laboratories and exams are already taking place on campus; this will be further expanded in the winter semester. In addition, the university will look into other teaching formats to allow attendance. It is also important to get the first semester students on board through individual face-to-face courses. “We want to support their start in their university life in the best possible way and help them to connect with each other.” We are already in a close exchange with all of the people responsible at the university to find out how the university can best organize the hybrid semester. However, the priority in all planning is to comply with the rules of social distancing and hygiene. “We are still in the midst of a pandemic. We must not forget that.”
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Thomas Hoffmeister
Vice President Academic
University of Bremen
Phone: +49 421 218-60031
Email: kon2uni-bremen.de
