What to Expect: Student Guidance
In planning for the new academic year, it is the intention of Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education to resume teaching from 5th October 2020. Teaching across courses will be carried out mostly online, with the addition of some scheduled face-to-face learning where possible. The decision to do so and the preparations to follow are informed by UK and Scottish Governments guidance and is a move shared by other institutions within the Higher Education sector.
College facilities including the library, dining area, I.T Suite, study and social spaces, will be available to students during Semester 1 with procedures in place. If you wish to attend the College outwith scheduled face-to-face teaching, you should make the College aware prior to your arrival at the building. Please arrange by calling 01382 908070 between the hours of 9.00-12.00 and 13.00-16.30. Students attending the College outwith scheduled face-to-face teaching will also be required to complete a ‘track & trace’ form. Please keep in mind that access to computers and study spaces will be limited.
In order to outline the measures new and returning students must take to mitigate the risks of coronavirus infection, the College has prepared this ‘What to Expect’ guidance page, and is updating student FAQs as promptly as possible.
It should be noted however, that the below guidance is only relevant to those students who have scheduled face-to-face classes and will therefore be visiting the College in person.
What to Expect in Semester 1 :
- Travelling to the College
- Keeping safe inside the College building
- Learning & Teaching Facilities
Travelling to the College
Information for students about the safest ways to travel to the College.
The Scottish Government has advised that people should walk or cycle to your place of work or study where possible. The College does, however, realise that this is not always possible and that public transport may have to be relied on for travelling to and from the College.
Most public transport services in and out of Dundee have resumed however commuters should be aware of the latest Government travel health & safety measurements in place before making a journey. When travelling, whether by public transport or taxi you must wear a face covering by law. If you do not comply with this requirement you could be issued a fixed penalty notice for £60. Information is available on GOV.UK.
Travelling by train- visit Scotrail or National Rail
Travelling by bus- visit Stagecoach or XploreDundee
International arrivals to UK
The Scottish Government have provided up-to-date guidance on the process for people entering the UK, including steps you should take before travelling. It is important that you read and understand the guidance fully.
If you are travelling to the UK from another country, you may also need to self-isolate (quarantine). This is a period of self-isolation for 14 days. Some countries are however exempt from self-isolate.
Please visit the Scottish Government website for full details, including the list of countries exempt from border rules and for full quarantine details.
Documenting your quarantine period
Before arriving in the UK, you will need to submit the Public Health Passenger Locator Form. This includes details of the address you will self-isolate at. The Al-Maktoum College does not own any student accommodation in or around Dundee, and so please be mindful that you will be expected to make your own living arrangements prior to travelling to Dundee.
Keeping safe inside the College building
Again, College facilities including the library, dining area, I.T Suite, study and social spaces, will be available to students during Semester 1 with procedures in place. If you wish to attend the College outwith scheduled face-to-face teaching, you should make the College aware prior to your arrival at the building. Please arrange by calling 01382 908070 between the hours of 9.00-12.00 and 13.00-16.30. Students attending the College outwith scheduled face-to-face teaching will also be required to complete a ‘track & trace’ form. Please keep in mind that access to computers and study spaces will be limited.
As a result, the College has put additional health and safety measurements in place to ensure that students (for scheduled classes only) and staff are able to move around the College building safely and comfortably.
Inside the College
Upon entering the College building, you will notice that there is additional signage including floor markings and additional directional signage, indicating how to move around the building.
Everyone inside the College building is expected to maintain a 2-metre distance from others wherever possible. On staircases, we have introduced a ‘keep left’ system.
Hand sanitiser dispensers are situated in key areas around the College building including entrance, reception, library, dining room and other key high-touch locations. We strongly recommend that you wash your hands or use hand sanitiser:
- before eating
- before touching your face
- after using College facilities
- moving between rooms
- entering or exiting the building
Face Coverings
You are required to wear a face covering when moving around the College building and will be provided with a single, non-surgical, washable mask upon entrance. You are encouraged however to enquire their own supply of face coverings. Please be aware that due to some health conditions, some people may be exempt from wearing a face covering. Further information is available here.
It is also important to emphasise that the UK and Scottish Government has mandated the use of facial coverings in some specific areas including shops, public libraries, museums and galleries, and places of worship.
Toilet Facilities
Toilet facilities in the College building will become single occupancy with a “knock and enter” system operating. There is signage located on all toilet doors as a reminder.
Disabled access toilets should be kept available for those with disabilities.
Cleaning Regimes
The College follows a thorough cleaning regime that concentrates on the cleaning of communal areas, with priority given to high-use touchpoints and toilets.
Additional cleaning activity during the day will take place within the building with a focus on high traffic areas. Cleaning materials- typically disinfectant wipes, sprays, and hand sanitiser- are also provided to allow self-service cleaning of shared and personal workstations, equipment, and tabletops.
Learning & Teaching facilities
Teaching tools
Classes across all programmes, unless instructed otherwise, will continue to be delivered online via Microsoft Teams (MS Teams) and Zoom. All students are required to join scheduled virtual classes during term time.
MS teams is available to all College staff and students and can be downloaded on to devices here, while Zoom can be downloaded here.
MS Teams & Zoom allows for:
- Online Virtual Meeting/Teaching rooms
- Audio calls
- Instant chat/group messaging
- Break-out study rooms
- Assignment upload and download
- Sharing PowerPoint presentations, interactive whiteboards, and other such tools
- Share – your screen, PowerPoint Presentation, running programs, interactive whiteboard and more with other people
For instructions on how to use MS Teams, click here.
For instructions on how to use Zoom, click here.
Library facilities
The College Shaikh Hamdan Library, located on the Ground floor, will be partially open to students from 5 October 2020 and offers a host of resources and study spaces. In line with Scottish Government guidance, face coverings should always be worn while in the library.
You can access the online Library Catalogue here
We aim to introduce a ‘Click and Collect’ service, where you will be able to make a ‘resource request’ with the College Librarian (Graham Mitchell), before coming in to pick it up directly from the library, if the resource is not available online.
Further information on this service, please email g.mitchell@almcollege.ac.uk or call on 01382 908070