Ashesi University suspends lectures indefinitely, moves to online teaching

News reaching UniversNews indicates that management of the Ashesi University has indefinitely suspended lectures.

It says that all of its teachings will now be online for students, effective Monday, March 16, 2020.

This decision comes after the government on Sunday announced that it has closed borders for arrivals from coronavirus-hit country.

In a mail sent to staff, it said that it was not going to wait for its campus to confirm a case before it implements its closure plan.

“As a next step following increased urgency around precautionary COVID-19 safety measures, we are pausing all classes until further notice. Students who can go home can do so from tomorrow,” the school posted on its Twitter page.

As a next step following increased urgency around precautionary COVID-19 safety measures, we are pausing all classes until further notice. Students who can go home can do so from tomorrow.

— Ashesi University (@Ashesi) March 15, 2020

The University has also announced “all students who cannot go home in the near-term are allowed to stay on campus, and all campus services will be available”

“Students who are already at home, are encouraged to stay through this period. Should parent(s) be coming to campus to pick up students, please note that you will not be allowed into student hostels. Parents would have to meet their ward in the car park(s) for pick-up,” they said again on Twitter.

Ashesi University thus becomes the second tertiary institution to suspend lectures on its campus after University of Ghana.

University of Ghana’s decision to suspend lectures follows the confirmation that one of its students tested positive for the virus.

In a statement from the University, it explained that the infected student had returned to Ghana from an international trip.

Non-residential students of the University have been asked to keep away from the campus.

Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana has urged students and staff to remain calm as the University management takes steps to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus on campus.