Temporary Arrangement from 16 March to 24 April 2020
– Full Online Provision at IMC for 7 weeks Non Award Unit Study
15 March 2020
Dear Students,
I now advise you on the Institute’s arrangements to provide you with full online delivery for 7 weeks Non Award Unit Study at IMC from 16 March to 24 April 2020. We ask that you do NOT attend the Institute’s campuses in Sydney during this period of full online delivery.
Given that the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 to be at pandemic level on 11 March 2020 and the update situation of the impacts of COVID-19, the Institute believes that this arrangement will serve the very best interests of our students, staff and stakeholders.
This online delivery is consistent with our Risk Management Plan made in late January 2020 and will help ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our students and staff members on campus.
This is a temporary arrangement.
Prior to 24 April 2020, we will provide you with further advice on whether the Institute will extend the full online delivery, or restore on-campus face-to-face teaching & learning services should the coronavirus alert be revoked by the responsible government authorities and public safety is ensured.
We are able to take this action because of the consideration given by TEQSA and all relevant statutory and professional accreditation bodies in supporting the provision of full online delivery as a necessary action to minimise the impacts of COVID-19.
During this period of full online delivery, the Institute will maintain its quality assurance and academic integrity processes and ensure that our students are not disadvantaged.
We also welcome your feedback about any improvements we can make that will improve that online delivery. Please check directory and support email addresses at the end of this letter.
During the full online delivery period, we still urge students to pay even more attention to prevention:
- If you develop a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath within 14 days of overseas travel or are in contact with someone else who has Coronavirus, seek medical attention: Health direct on 1800 671 738, or in an emergency, your local hospital emergency department
- Protect yourself and others: clean your hands regularly, cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue. Importantly – stay at home if you’re feeling unwell.
It is very important that you keep the Institute informed of any changes in your health status during this critical time. If you suspect that you might have COVID-19, contact health authorities immediately and please also inform our staff member Qingqing Hao on 0430 589 903 (24 hours school emergency number) so that we can provide you with further support and assistance.
The Institute’s comprehensive services to students will be running normally during the full online delivery period.
Please keep monitoring Moodle for the most updated information and any announcements.
If you require any additional IT support to join this online learning facility, please contact itsupport@top.edu.au, as the Institute wants to facilitate your best possible online learning experience.
For general enquiries, please contact Student Services via studentservices@top.edu.au.
For any general academic issues, please contact Academic Administration via 7weeks@top.edu.au. You can also contact each unit coordinator for your enrolled subjects with questions about online delivery for those subjects.
If you have any queries or need further support to improve your academic English skills, please contact our English Language and Academic Skills Coordinator via learning@top.edu.au; We will offer online one-to-one support.
As an important resource for your online study, the TOP Library offers you extensive database and eBooks access. You can also find other useful information and open online resources via the Library website: https://library.top.edu.au/. If you have any issues in relation to database searching or access of eBooks, please contact the TOP Library via library@top.edu.au for assistance.
For any tuition fee and financial support issue, please contact fees@top.edu.au.
If you are experiencing a high level of anxiety, and you want to talk with someone, please contact our Counsellor via counselling@top.edu.au.
The Institute continues to monitor the updated situation and developments very closely. And we are watching all guidelines from the New South Wales and Australian health and education authorities.
We wish to emphasize that if you are an overseas student holding an Australian student visa, please check your visa conditions very carefully, and check with Department of Home Affairs https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/contact-us/offices-and-locations, in case you intend to depart from Australia during the full online delivery period.
Again, we very much appreciate your cooperation and understanding, and welcome any questions that you may have.
Best wishes
Yours sincerely
Dr Minshen Zhu
Principal Australian National Institute of Management and Commerce
(Edited by Roy Shen - original submission Sunday, 15 March 2020, 12:04 PM)