Colleges back on campus for new academic year

The Department of Higher Education is currently drawing up plans to have all students return to NUI Galway and GMIT in the autumn for the first time in 18 months as it’s ‘confidently predicted’ that the majority of Ireland’s adult population will be vaccinated against Covid-19 by then.

In a draft Department document preparing for a return to college, seen by the Connacht Tribune, it is outlined that ‘the activities for which an on-site presence is required are more extensive and significant than has been heretofore provided’.

It is predicted that public health guidance will change following extensive vaccination, and therefore guidelines can be expanded to allow for a resumption of ‘almost full-scale on-site activities’ – with the exemption of larger lectures. Options for blended learning are also in preparation, for those unable to attend lectures for health reasons.

Speaking to the Connacht Tribune this week, President of NUIG Students’ Union Pádraic Toomey said it was his understanding that while the university awaited the Government’s plan for next semester, plans were proceeding on the basis that students would make their long-awaited return to campus.

“What we understand is what the Government have been saying – that their aim is to get students back to college. They’re due to bring out a document in the next couple of weeks and all going to plan, we would expect everything to be back in September, bar large lectures.”

Read the full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now – or you can download our digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie