Kyung Hee University Delays Semester Start by One Week Due to 'Novel Coronavirus' Spread... Graduation and Entrance Ceremonies Canceled

Kyung Hee University delays the start of the semester by one week due to concerns about the novel coronavirus infection. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), Kyung Hee University announced that it will postpone the start of the semester by one week.

Kyung Hee University announced on the 31st that it has canceled the 2019 academic year first semester degree conferment ceremony and the 2020 academic year freshman entrance ceremony, and postponed the start of the 2020 first semester, originally scheduled for March 2, by one week.

Kyung Hee University explained, "As the novel coronavirus infection situation has been spreading recently, the current infectious disease crisis alert has been raised to the 'caution' level, increasing social concern and anxiety," and added, "We are concentrating all efforts to prevent the spread of the infection in this national crisis situation."

They continued, "We will strive to ensure that university members can focus on education, research, and learning in a safe environment," and added, "We have decided to adjust the major academic schedules."

With Kyung Hee University postponing the semester start, it is expected that other universities will also likely postpone their semester openings.

As the novel coronavirus spreads, universities are also reducing or canceling group events such as freshman orientations, entrance ceremonies, and graduation ceremonies.

Ewha Womans University announced that it will postpone the graduation ceremony scheduled for the 24th of next month, and Dongguk University, Sogang University, and Sookmyung Women's University are also reportedly considering postponing their graduation and entrance ceremonies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.