Since the beginning of the battle against the COVID-19, the International Education College of Beijing University of Technology (BJUT) has been implementing the epidemic prevention and control measures to effectively protect international students through unified understanding, enhanced leadership, precise arrangements, and concerted efforts.

Improve mechanisms and deploy joint prevention and control measures

The International Education College formed its own leading group and implementation team for the prevention and control of COVID-19 as required by BJUT’s leading group for disease prevention and control. The groups are accountable to the International Exchange and Cooperation Office of Beijing Municipal Education Commission and the Administration of Exit and Entry of Beijing Public Security Bureau. The Groups work closely with other university departments through a joint work mechanism coordinating both information release and disease prevention and control to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to defeat the disease.

The College formed various working groups for the following;

• “students living on campus”, based in the international student apartment
• “students living off campus”, based in the International Students Affairs Office
• “Faculty and staff”, based in the Comprehensive Office to implement disease prevention and control measures, investigate the situation, and convey information.

In strict accordance with the university’s requirements, the College covered all 57 faculty and staff members as well as 499 international students (over 200 remaining on campus) and meticulously implemented disease prevention and control measures, ensuring that faculty and student benefit from the decisions of the BJUT CPC Committee.

Leaders of Beijing Municipality inspected the disease prevention and control measures of student apartments

Strengthen communication and cooperation and survey students’ travel histories

The travel history of each international student is fully surveyed by international student advisors and class teachers. International students are divided into four categories for management, i.e. on-campus residence, domestic travel in China, off-campus residence, and international travel to home country. A dynamic daily information mechanism is established for targeted disease prevention and control. Advisors and class teachers communicate with students every day to keep track of their psychological state. Once an abnormal situation is noticed, the advisors and class teachers will grasp detailed information as soon as possible and report it in time. Dedicated staff will follow up on the case.

Improve environmental hygiene to protect the home of students

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During the period of epidemic prevention and control, the International College improves the environmental hygiene of the international student apartments. Cleaning staff were trained with clear cleaning requirements, and cleaning condition inspection and assessment were enhanced. The dormitories were disinfected every day for effective vector control. Public areas such as corridors, passages, duty counters, toilets, bathrooms, study rooms, etc. are thoroughly cleaned. International students who are staying on campus are urged to clean their rooms and keep them well ventilated. An entry permit is a strict requirement for any person or vehicle that visits the international student apartment. A body temperature check is conducted for everyone entering or leaving the apartment. Employees and students detected with abnormal body temperature will be reported to the university in time and assisted with medical consultation. All parcels and food takeaways delivered to the apartment will be strictly disinfected.

Daily sterilization at the International Student Apartment

Ensure access to services to relieve the anxiety of students

As a large number of international students chose to stay on campus during the winter holiday, in light of cultural differences and their travel histories, the International College surveyed all students first and then provided online notification through the WeChat official account, offline notification, and personalized services to publicize information on disease prevention and control and improve the awareness of self-protection in faculty, staff, and international students. The College prepared a number of necessary anti-epidemic products such as masks, thermometers, hand sanitizers, disinfectants, etc. to protect front-line staff and international students and provided them with scientific protection knowledge and skills to eliminate the sense of panic. In order to reduce the travels of international students, the International College coordinated with the Logistics Department to deliver vegetables and fruits to them, meeting their needs as much as possible.

Prepare goods and materials and perform scientific prevention and control

On the basis of sound protection, staff of the International College are on duty at the centralized quarantine area 24/7, understanding the living conditions and mental status of international students under quarantined observation, handling their daily life issues, and providing quilts, food, etc. to relieve their discomfort and stress during the observation.

Considerate and caring

Build up confidence against the outbreak and present China’s strength

The International College greatly considers the needs and concerns of all international students and helps them to protect themselves and stay calm. In turn, international students have cooperated and supported the University’s efforts. Two international students from Ghana and Comoros volunteered to join the “Epidemic prevention” team organized by the Communist Youth League Committee of BJUT, joining with the Chinese student volunteers. International students praised BJUT’s practical and efficient measures and expressed great confidence in China and BJUT’s certain victory over the outbreak.

International students joined the “Epidemic prevention” volunteer team

International students are confident in China’s victory over the outbreak

Under the strong leadership of the BJUT CPC Committee, the College of International Education will continue to make concerted efforts to overcome difficulties and defeat the outbreak, so that all international students will develop deeper love and trust in China and BJUT. We will join hands to protect our common home.