COVID-19 Precautionary and Preventive Guidelines

COVID-19 and Campus Update

As we all are working hard to avoid the spread of the recent wave of COVID19 in Qatar, we wish to thank you for your cooperation and understanding to ensure that we continue to operate with optimum productivity while maintaining precautionary and preventative measures as per the guidelines of the MoPH.

As a university, it is a shared responsibility of the students and staff to ensure full implementation of all the policies and measures. If you notice any non-compliance, irrespective of whether it is intentional or unintentional, immediately notify the individuals or groups involved in such non-compliance, and report the incident to the management. You can approach the front desk to report any such incidents and ensure to email the academic registry about your observation. If the concern is related to a facility or any equipment, kindly report them to the management and we will take all the necessary measures to assess the situation and rectify any issues.

Health and Safety Guidelines

Please note that the following updated policies as well as the precautionary and preventative measures will continue to be applicable across the campus at all times effective from 01/01/2022.

Entering campus

All students are expected to attend classes on campus as per guidelines of Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
We do not allow students on-campus if they are showing symptoms of COVID-19, or required to quarantine as per the MoPH instructions. This means Ehteraz QR code displayed in any other colour other than Green. All students with the Ehteraz QR code displayed in green must attend classes on-campus
All patrons (Students, Staff, Parents, visitors or volunteers) who enter the campus must have the Ehteraz app active at all times, have the green status and must show it to any staff member when they request to see it anytime while in the premises.
We do a thermal screening of all patrons on arrival and entry will be allowed only for those with a temperature 37.8 degrees or below.

On campus

Safe distance of 1.5m must be maintained at all times. This applies to students and all staff members.
Keep a minimum distance of 1.5 m between students/staff seating in classrooms.
Students from different classes should not mix with other students during breaks or other times.
All students should face forward in one direction while seated in class.
Use of lockers will continue to be suspended until further notice.
Masks must be worn by all teachers, students and staff all the time as a mandatory condition of entry to the campus. Masks offer important protections. Cloth masks are acceptable and some people may find them more comfortable.
Staff or students who are unable to wear a cloth face covering and who must be in close proximity to others should ideally wear N95 masks or a surgical mask in combination with a face shield.
Face shields or other forms of eye protection should also be used when working closely with students or staff and unable to manage secretions. Eg. Lab sessions.
In certain cases, the use of cloth face coverings by teachers may impede the education process. In those cases, face coverings with clear panels in the front can be used.
No social gatherings will be allowed outside of classes for students.
We request students and staff to utilize additional spaces for lunch/break times, rather than crowding the cafeteria or classroom.
Equipment and facilities that cannot be cleaned and sanitized will and shall not be used.
All patrons must avoid sharing tools, equipment or anything with others.
We strongly advice to use Non-contact greetings to ensure the safety across the campus and in the community.

Your health

We strongly recommend to all members of the community to complete the 3 doses of the vaccination as per MoPH guidelines.
We are strictly enforcing the policy of “staying at home if unwell” for students, teachers or staff with symptoms. Anyone who feels unwell must inform the management/academic registry by email and seek appropriate medical advice immediately.
1. If you are unwell we strongly recommend you to immediately take the relevant tests to verify if you are infected by COVID-19 as per the guidelines of MoPH. We recommend taking a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) at an approved medical centre first. If the RAT shows positive to COVID-19, proceed to do a PCR test immediately.
2. If you tested positive to COVID-19, students must inform the Academic Registry and staff members must inform the HR department immediately with a copy of the test results.
3. Academic registry will make arrangements to provide remote access to lectures for students who test positive for 10 days from the date of the test – i.e. during the MoPH approved quarantine period. (If the student is suffering with symptoms and unable to attend the lectures from remote, they may notify the registry and they will be marked as approved absence due to COVID-19.)
4. HR department will make arrangements for remote work for staff members who are tested positive but able to work. (If the staff member is suffering with symptoms and unable to work, they can apply for sick leave.)
5. Rapid antigen self-test results may not be used for official purposes such as pre-travel testing, changing Ehteraz health status, sick leaves, or official health certificates.
Students who are approved for such alternative learning methods must note that their commitment to ensure that the learning is effective and it is in their hands to ensure that they take all necessary measures to make the alternative learning process work for them.
The staff of OUC will take all practical, possible measures to ensure that we provide the best possible support to students who are facing vulnerability or risks due to COVID-19. Alternative learning methods may need additional effort and hard work from the student and it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they put in the required effort and hard work into the learning process to ensure their academic success.

Suspected cases

Students who have been in contact with a COVID-19 positive case must follow the guidelines of the MoPH to get tested and avoid any further contacts with the COVID-19 positive case to avoid transmission of the virus. Students informing that they may have been in contact with a positive case does not qualify them to request online access to lecturers unless if they tested positive. In such cases they must take an official Rapid Antigen test immediately at an approved test centre to verify contamination and follow the instructions in Health & wellbeing section.
The management will notify public health authorities in case of a positive COVID-19 case or suspected case.
If a student/staff is suspected of having COVID-19 while in the campus they will be isolated in a separate room, and the family and MoPH will be notified to take the student for COVID testing and medical care.
The suspected case information will be reported to the Ministry of Public Health so that the student can be followed to ensure that they were tested and to take necessary action if the test turns positive.
Students/staff with family members who suffer from chronic conditions should take the required precautionary measures to protect such family members from the risk of being exposed to COVID-19 including, but not limited to, avoiding contact with them and proper sanitization before returning home from outside. However, unless the student/staff is officially tested positive or required to quarantine they will not be provided online access to lectures. If there are any special circumstances, students may contact the academic registry and staff may contact the HR department.

Our responsibilities

The academic team will take measures to stagger break, recess and meal times to avoid mixing of classes.
Teachers should not move around in the classes among students while teaching.
We will ensure efficient ventilation in classrooms, halls and offices. Lecturers and students can determine if ventilation is sufficient in their classrooms and can open the windows if deemed necessary. The maintenance staff members will be able to assist if required.
Hand washing and hand sanitizers are available at multiple locations across the campus and in the classrooms.
We are avoiding gathering of academic or admin staff as much as possible.
Disinfection of facilities such as desks and chairs at beginning and end of day, and between classes is scheduled and monitored.
We have scheduled regular cleaning of the campus environment daily, including toilets, with water and soap/detergent and disinfectant. We clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, desks, light switches, doorframes, etc
Specific measures are in place for students recovering from COVID-19 or those in quarantine e.g. online access to classrooms, exams etc.
We are offering special considerations for vulnerable groups. If you believe that you are vulnerable, contact the academic registry immediately with sufficient details and proof. The management is committed to provide assistance to students or staff who are vulnerable, including approving leave of absence, deferral of your studies, making alternative arrangements to continue work/studies. The management will make the final decision on the matter and communicate the available options to the student/staff.

As per MOE&HE guidelines, OUC will continue teaching on campus in accordance with the guidelines of the MoPH and other relevant authorities. If the circumstances change the management reserves the right to change this decision at any time.

However, it is up to individual students to make their individual decisions about their circumstances and choices. If any student or groups have concerns or suggestions, they are expected to communicate those concerns or suggestions to the management clearly and in a professional manner.

We wish to extend our gratitude to the students and staff who have been in touch with the management to share their opinions and suggestions during these difficult times, and to the cooperation shown by all students and staff in sailing through the pandemic together as the “OUC family”.