Universities with Many International Students Postpone Semester Start Up to 4 Weeks... Government Recommendation

Ministry of Education, 'Inter-Ministerial International Student Support Team Expansion Meeting'

On the 4th, students wearing masks are passing in front of a banner with guidelines for preventing the novel coronavirus infection at Yonsei University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Ahead of the new semester starting in March, the government has recommended that universities postpone the start of classes by up to four weeks to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia).

On the afternoon of the 5th, the Ministry of Education held an 'Expanded Inter-Ministerial Student Support Meeting' at the Government Seoul Office, attended by 20 university presidents from major universities such as Kyung Hee University, Korea University, and Dankook University, as well as related ministries including the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and made this decision.

The meeting was organized to seek efficient and proactive response measures and to establish a cooperative system between related ministries and universities, as a large number of students residing in China are expected to enter the country around the time of the university semester start in March.

The Ministry of Education first recommended that each university postpone the start of classes by up to four weeks and decided to prepare and provide flexible academic operation guidelines regarding class reduction, compliance with required class hours, expansion of remote classes, and leave of absence for new and transfer students.

In addition, they reiterated the request to refrain from or postpone or cancel group events such as graduation ceremonies and orientations (OT) as much as possible, and ordered thorough management measures including disinfection of multi-use facilities on campus such as international halls, dormitories, libraries, and student centers.

Financial support will also be considered for additional expenses incurred by universities to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, such as purchasing quarantine supplies, thermal cameras, and hand sanitizers.

Furthermore, through cooperation among government ministries, students entering from China will be strictly managed from the entry stage, and continuous monitoring will be conducted for 14 days after entry to ensure immediate linkage with health authorities if symptoms appear.

Deputy Prime Minister Yoo Eun-hye urged, "Universities and related ministries should cooperate more closely to devise effective measures to overcome the current crisis, and universities should do their best to ensure that the recent urgent situation caused by the novel coronavirus passes safely."

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