TU Delft Student News

Examinations to take place as much as possible (scroll down for the Dutch version)

On 23 March, the measures to control the spread of the coronavirus were further strengthened. In consultation with the other Dutch universities we have therefore decided, for the time being, that no campus education will take place until 1 June, and that education will be offered online as much as possible.

Exams

This means that no exams can be held physically on campus in the third quarter of this academic year. However, the current examination schedule remains valid. We strive to let as many exams as possible go ahead, because postponement also has all kinds of consequences. At the various programmes of study, people are therefore hard at work looking for alternative possibilities and trying to provide clarity about the examinations as soon as possible.

The following has been agreed upon:

• You will hear no later than 4 working days before the scheduled date of the examination, whether it will take place and in what form. These 4 working days are a minimum; where possible, clarity will be provided earlier.
• If an exam has to be postponed, you will hear a new date at a later time, but also as soon as possible.
• Do sign up for exams as soon as possible, because this is important for the organisation of the alternative exams.

We understand that this makes it harder to prepare for exams, especially at a time when there are no study places on campus and you also have to deal with all the other consequences of the corona measures. We have asked lecturers to make sure that you will be given enough time to prepare properly. If you are unable to take part in an examination, due to circumstances such as illness or care duties, please report this to your study advisor and we will then look for a solution together.

At the same time, we ask for your understanding that, under these extraordinary circumstances, it may sometimes take a little longer than you hope before everything is settled. Behind the scenes, lecturers are doing their utmost to ensure that the transition to online education and examination runs as smoothly as possible for you and will keep you informed about this.

Tentamens gaan zo veel mogelijk door

Op 23 maart zijn de maatregelen om de verspreiding van het coronavirus tegen te gaan verder aangescherpt. In overleg met de andere universiteiten hebben we daarom vooralsnog besloten dat er tot 1 juni geen campusonderwijs zal plaatsvinden; onderwijs wordt zoveel mogelijk online aangeboden.

Tentamens

Er kunnen dus ook geen tentamens op de campus worden afgenomen in het derde kwartaal van dit collegejaar. Het huidige tentamenrooster blijft wel geldig. We streven ernaar om toch zoveel mogelijk tentamens door te laten gaan, omdat uitstel ook weer allerlei gevolgen heeft.

De opleidingen zoeken daarom hard naar alternatieve mogelijkheden en streven er naar om zo snel mogelijk duidelijkheid te geven over de tentamens.

Daarbij is het volgende afgesproken:

• Je hoort uiterlijk 4 werkdagen voor de geplande datum van het tentamen of het doorgaat en zo ja, in welke vorm. Die 4 werkdagen zijn een minimum; waar mogelijk wordt eerder duidelijkheid te geven.
• Moet een tentamen worden uitgesteld, dan hoor je op een later tijdstip, maar ook weer zo snel mogelijk, een nieuwe datum.
• Meld je wel zo snel mogelijk aan voor tentamens, want dat is belangrijk voor de organisatie van de alternatieve tentamens.

We begrijpen dat dit alles lastig is voor de voorbereiding op tentamens, zeker in een tijd waarin er ook geen studiewerkplekken zijn op de campus en je bovendien moet omgaan met alle andere gevolgen van de coronamaatregelen. We hebben de docenten gevraagd er rekening mee te houden dat je voldoende tijd krijgt om je goed te kunnen voorbereiden. Mocht je door omstandigheden, bijvoorbeeld ziekte of zorgtaken, niet in staat zijn om deel te nemen aan de toetsing, meld dit dan bij je studieadviseur, dan zoeken we samen naar een oplossing.

We vragen er omgekeerd jullie begrip voor dat het onder deze bijzondere omstandigheden soms wat langer duurt dan je hoopt voordat alles bekend is. Docenten doen achter de schermen hun uiterste best om de omschakeling naar online onderwijs en toetsing voor jullie zo soepel mogelijk te laten verlopen, en informeren jullie daarover.

You can check for updated information, precautionary measures at TU Delft, and other relevant guidelines about the coronavirus on the dedicated Coronavirus information and update pages of the University’s website. These pages are updated regularly, so make sure to visit it for the latest developments.

The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science together with the representative bodies of universities and the student unions have decided to cancel the yearly National Student Survey (known as NSE and organised by Studykeuze123).
The are two main reasons behind this decision. Carrying out a satisfaction survey during the current coronavirus crisis would not deliver valid results. The second reason is letting the universities focus in their main current priority: organising online education.

For further information here you can find the Ministry official letter (in Dutch).

Osiris will not be available coming weekend (Saturday 28 from 8:00 until Sunday 29 at 17:00) because of a new upgrade. This also means that MyTUDelft app will not work. More information: https://meldingen-ict.tudelft.nl/

Dear students,

The recent measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus have major consequences for society, TU Delft and our own private situations. We have asked our teachers and support staff to find as many ways as possible to continue lectures and other educational activities online. This is a huge undertaking, even for a technical university with an excellent reputation in the field of online education. At the moment, this transition to online education has our full attention.

Keep studying!

This extremely unusual situation requires flexibility and inventiveness. We are doing our utmost to ensure that education can be offered online as far as possible, so that any delays in studies are kept to a minimum. We urge you to do the same.

Keep an eye on Brightspace for the current state of affairs regarding your education. On the TU Delft homepage, you will find recent developments and information on the (practical) measures that TU Delft is taking, such as improved travel advice, access to buildings, advice for students who are abroad, etc. If you have any questions, please contact your study advisor.

Many questions – some awaiting answers

We are in a period of great uncertainty and this gives rise to a lot of questions, a lot about exams, such as: Will my exam take place? What about the binding recommendation (BSA)? Will the academic calendar remain unchanged and will the current registration dates still apply? Is there a financial support scheme? Can I start my master later if I have a study delay in my bachelor? And what if I want to continue studying at another university? What will happen to on-site and lab experiments that cannot be continued at this stage?

We are trying to provide clarity on these and other questions as far as possible, and as quickly as possible, but at the moment we still do not have all the answers. Unfortunately, in some cases we will not be able to prevent study delays. We have asked teachers to come up with solutions – where possible – for the students who are unable to meet their education obligations as a result of the preventative measures.

We have consulted with the Chairs of the Examination Committees about not being able to take interim examinations and partial tests. They have indicated that they will endeavour to limit the effects resulting from the measures. The Examination Board has already sufficient powers to offer solutions in the event of a study delay. We are also investigating what we can do about other consequences deriving from study delays, for example with regards to visa requirements, scholarships and housing rent.

We advise you to regularly visit both Brightspace and the homepage.

Need help?

• Do you find it hard to concentrate because of the hectic pace? Or are you worried? Maybe our ‘Gezondeboel’ e-health tool is something for you: https://www.tudelft.nl/en/gezondeboel
• Are you having trouble studying at home? Perhaps the ‘Study Skills Toolkit’ can be of help: https://www.tudelft.nl/en/student/counselling/essential-study-skills/
• Or do you have a question about your career? Take a look at our ‘Career Toolkit’: https://www.tudelft.nl/en/student/counselling/managing-your-career/
• Would you like to use our consultation hours with psychologists and academic counsellors? Then fill in the consent form and email it before 11:00. See: https://www.tudelft.nl/en/student/counselling/adjustments-with-regards-to-the-coronavirus/

Finally

It is impressive to see how everyone at TU Delft is dealing with the many challenges, the uncertainty and the emotions that this situation entails. We see many of you doing your best to continue with your studies while trying to slow down the spread of this infectious virus. We are also proud of the students who use their Delft inventiveness and can-do mentality to help others.

We express our gratitude, respect and admiration for you. Keep studying, take good care of your own health and of each other.

The Executive Board of TU Delft

Professor Tim van der Hagen, Rector Magnificus / President of the Executive Board
Professor Rob Mudde, Vice President for Education
Nicoly Vermeulen, Vice President for Operations

If you are a Dutch student currently abroad, an international exchange students at TU Delft, or an international degree student, please read the latest travel advice on the TU Delft website.

Today’s update regards the accessibility of university buildings and information on the requirements for the Thesis defence (conferral ceremony) for the coming period. Read the full text on the TU Delft website.

Keep an eye also on the Delta live blog for lots of news on our community – from creative solutions and interviews, to useful tips and virtual events – to keep you informed, share a smile and help us get through together this exceptional and trying time.

From 16 March 2020, until at least 6 April 2020 the Education and Student Affairs building (30A) on the Jaffalaan 9a will be closed due to the COVID-19 (Corona). Services for (coming) students are available via e-mail and telephone from Monday until Friday from 09:00u – 17:00u (CET).

E-mail: contactcentre-esa@tudelft.nl
Telephone: +31 (0)15-2788012