On the morning of April 11th, Tsinghua SIGS welcomed the first wave of students back to campus.
On-campus staff assisting students
Staff guide students and disinfect luggage
Due to municipal regulations for a staggered return to schools across the city, students graduating this semester started arriving on April 11th. The rest of the student population will begin arriving on April 18th. Around 100 graduating students met the requirements to return to campus.
Students using smart machines to scan their personal and epidemic-related information
To ensure the safety and health of the SIGS community, the anti-epidemic working group of school leaders put great importance on preparation for students’ return. On April 8th, officials from the Education Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality visited Tsinghua SIGS to inspect the preparation work and plans for COVID-19 prevention and control after students return to campus. Secretary of the CPC Tsinghua SlGS Committee Wu Xiaofeng, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Tsinghua SlGS Committee Guan Tian, Dean’s Assistant Song Yan, and heads of relevant departments accompanied the municipal inspection group. On the afternoon of April 10th, CPC Secretary Wu Xiaofeng led an inspection of campus facilities, including dining halls, dormitories, and package stations. Emergency drills for epidemic control were performed in late March. Student return drills were performed on April 8th, practicing control procedures for potential COVID-19 cases.
SIGS held many meetings related to the return to school, discussing the list of personnel allowed on campus, epidemic control measures, and health management. In preparation for the return of students, faculty, and staff, administrators worked closely with the Nanshan District CDC, the Taoyuan Sub-district Office, the University Town Community Office, University Town’s management office, and local police stations. The working group for the return to campus managed the implementation of appropriate procedures for the handling of overseas packages. They also inspected the campus’s sanitary conditions and oversaw the disinfection of common and key areas to ensure a clean and healthy campus.
On the first day of student return, April 11th, waiting and health observation areas were placed at the school’s entrance. Machines were set up at the entrances to the dining hall and student dorms to check student health codes and COVID-19 testing information. The campus also created a WeChat mini-app which allows students to apply to enter campus, do testing point check-ins, receive testing reminders, and other related functions.
Disinfection of campus
Waiting and quarantine areas
At the entrance to the school, staff disinfected luggage and gave out COVID-19 prevention essentials. Shuttles brought students to their dormitories. Students arriving on campus on April 11th are required to do three days of health observation and daily COVID-19 testing.
“Before I left for winter vacation, I didn’t know I would be gone for this long,” IID master’s student Gan Jingzhao shared. The epidemic situation also had a significant impact on Jingzhao’s graduation plans, but he also hopes to take advantage of his remaining days on campus before graduation. “When I returned to campus, the first thing that I saw were volunteers disinfecting luggage, checking health codes, giving out epidemic prevention essentials, and helping us get to our dorms. I really appreciate their hard work.”
COVID-19 prevention essentials and care packages for returning students
To ensure the health and safety of the SIGS community in the dining halls, the school performed checks on food and drinking water safety as well as disinfection of the dining areas. While students return to campus in two waves from April 11th to April 14th and April 18th to 21st, eat-in dining will be prohibited and take-out services will be offered.
When faced with an upsurge in cases in Shenzhen and stricter epidemic control measures, Tsinghua SIGS reacted quickly and effectively to protect its students, faculty, and staff. With the help of the whole community, epidemic prevention and control measures were implemented and learning and research continued. They embodied the Tsinghua spirit of unceasing self-improvement.
From April 11th to April 19th, online-only classes will continue. Hybrid learning is planned to begin on April 20th. In the classrooms, students and faculty will be required to wear masks at all times and maintain social distancing. Classes that hadn’t started due to the delay will resume teaching.
It has not been an easy graduation year for the Class of 2022, but they have dealt with the challenges and changes admirably.
Welcome back, SIGSers!
Edited by Alena Shish & Yuan Yang
