[COVID-19 Update: Message from Campus President]
Dear GUGC students, parents, faculty and staff,
Today, we face an extremely abnormal reality and the entire world is in a state of emergency. The global community is unsettled over the spread of this new disease, with all aspects of our society – economical, cultural, educational, political – crippled without a sense of when normalcy will be restored.
In the face of the new coronavirus, my utmost concern lies in the health of our students, faculty and staff. We will continue to do our best to make GUGC safe and welcoming to all visitors on campus even after the COVID-19 situation is under control.
We have set up direct communication channels with the central government agencies, Incheon Metropolitan City and the Yeonsu-gu Public Health Center; provide real-time updates on COVID-19 cases; distributed face masks and hand sanitizers in every classroom and elevator; installed a body temperature detector and reinforced safety by hiring a part-time nurse to thoroughly check and monitor the health of each and every individual entering the school building. Moreover, in addition to the daily cleaning and disinfection process, we plan to have the entire building sanitized by healthcare professionals on a regular basis.
The decisions we have made are all designed to limit the spread of COVD-19 and to protect our community. We ask and trust all students, faculty and staff to comply with the GUGC’s emergency measures. Together we will overcome this situation in a safe and healthy manner.
In addition, we are exerting all efforts to create and provide quality educational contents. For instance, we immediately established a system which enables recording and distribution of online lectures and without hesitation invested more for a higher quality system to ensure that real-time interaction between professors and students during the lectures are possible. Our faculty and staff continue to work around the clock, monitoring and seeking ways to continuously improve the system. We will do our very best to maintain high-quality lectures and stabilize the online education system. Therefore, please bear with us while we manage this complicated transition.
Historically, great nations and great people are known for demonstrating incomparable foresight and competence in times of difficulty. They have shown sacrifice over personal gain, striving towards the betterment of their neighbors, communities, society and country. Our actions and the manner in which we handle this reality will truly define who we are and what our values are. I believe that if we find the love, understanding and the willingness to serve others within ourselves, we will realize that we are closely connected and that much more valuable to one another. We may have forgotten this part of ourselves, having been lost in the hectic day-to-day life of a fast-moving world. But it has always been there and this may be an opportunity to bring out the best in all of us and for humanity to take the next huge step toward the future.
Beloved GUGC family members, let us put our hearts and minds together during these challenging times with our sights aiming higher than ever.
Taejun Han, Ph.D.
Campus President
Ghent University Global Campus
