By ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ
The University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) is shifting towards online platforms in place of traditional classroom setting in the meantime to avoid the disruption of learning due to suspension of classes over the threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In a statement on Tuesday, UP Diliman chancellor Fidel Nemenzo said the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, in coordination with the college deans, will soon be giving the instructions to all faculty and students for the shifting of classes online.
This is one of the new policies and guidelines issued by UP Diliman to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.
As the national government last Monday declared the suspension of classes in Metro Manila from March 10 to 14, UP Diliman also had a person under investigation (PUI) for COVID-19.
The UP “constituent” was said to be screened at the University Health Service (UHS) and sent to another hospital for testing.
“We assure you that in handling the PUI (person under investigation), all protocols were strictly followed, the patient was completely isolated from the rest of the UHS patients, and that the holding area was immediately disinfected,” Nemenzo said.
A COVID-19 Task Force within UPD was created to take charge in putting into place and implementing the necessary response protocols and institutional mechanisms to combat the virus threat to the community.
Aside from suspension of classes, work at UPD has also been suspended as part of social distancing as recommended by the Department of Health, but assured that all offices are maintaining a skeletal force to ensure that essential services are continued.
Nemenzo asked faculty, researchers, REPs (research, extension and professional staff), students and residents to take heed of the new policies and guidelines.
For now, official travel, whether local or international, will be prohibited indefinitely.
As a precautionary measure, all big events on campus were also called off, until further notice.
