AIT moves all lectures and tutorials online

All lectures and tutorials at AIT have moved online in light of new instructions from Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris.

The move came into effect on Friday.

In correspondence with staff, the President of AIT Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin said Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris has instructed all higher education institutes to move classes online for the next two-three weeks.

Practicals and laboratories will still take place on campus.

Professor Ó Catháin said: “Notwithstanding all of the trojan work and agreement that has taken place over the past few weeks in preparation for reopening, the instruction issued by Minister Harris this evening is something that we need to enact immediately in the interest of national public health.

“We must do everything possible over the next few weeks to stop the spread of COVID-19 and to give students the best chance of resuming onsite activity.”

In AIT, the following procedures are now in place

1. On-campus provision will be minimised with priority given to teaching that can only take place on campus.

2. All lectures and tutorials are to move online with immediate effect.

3. Laboratories and practicals will continue to be delivered on campus, in line with the Minister’s request.

4. In order to ensure the continued quality of academic provision, all lectures and tutorials will be delivered synchronously, as per the timetable.

5. Students will access all synchronous delivery via the virtual classroom (Moodle and Zoom education).

The institute remains open, however, Prof Ó Catháin said the requirement is to reduce student movement on campus and nationally.