Stockholm university

New term at hand – and new recommendations

President’s blog January 11, 2022

On January 10, the government and the Public Health Agency of Sweden announced new Covid recommendations. They will be launched January 12 and were elucidated today regarding universities at another press conference with the Minister of Education and UKÄ’s (the Swedish Higher Education Authority) Director General. For Stockholm University, as for most other higher education institutions, these recommendations do not imply any substantial changes. For Stockholm University, a strategic decision regarding the spring semester was made before Christmas, mainly clarifying that teaching and examination to a large extent can be given on campus but with elements online where this is justified to avoid crowding. In courses where hall examinations constitute the regular form of examination they are still preferred for reasons of legal certainty. However, the situation in Sweden has become worse since this decision was made which, in turn, has given rise to some further clarifications, specifying that the prioritization of which teaching elements should be held on campus should be based on the pedagogical value of face-to-face teaching. And when it comes to hall exams more opportunities for re-examination should be offered. All departments have different conditions for their teaching, so for the sake of quality it is therefore important that each department has the right to decide what teaching and examination will take place on campus and what will instead be carried out online. As for the rest, the recommendations we are used to after two years of pandemic remain in force – keep your distance, avoid crowding and, of course, stay at home when you are feeling ill.

Friday is Välkomstdagen (Welcome Day) – which of course takes place online – and next week Orientation Day for our international students will take place. I would like to give a warm welcome to all new students at Stockholm University!

Astrid Söderbergh Widding
President

Read more in President’s Blog

Astrid Söderbergh Widding
Photo: Eva Dalin