1 April 2020

Belgium Campus COVID-19 Communication (8)

Belgium Campus COVID-19 Communication (8) Dear: Students and Parents   In reference to our previous communication, classes will resume on 15 April 2020. Due to the current COVID-19 situation, it is uncertain whether these classes will be face-to-face or online. However, following instruction from the Minister of Higher Education, we are in full preparation for online classes. This email serves to inform students of the various platforms that will be utilised for online classes and where they can find further information regarding these platforms. Microsoft Teams in conjunction with Zoom Video Communications will be used. A guidance document detailing the specifics of each platform will be uploaded to Canvas and can be accessed at the following link: https://portal.belgiumcampus.ac.za/courses/3/discussion_topics/820. Students can also access their online class schedule via Canvas. Please ensure that you check your schedule regularly to avoid missing any online sessions. Saturday classes have been postponed until 18 April and will take place on the platforms listed above. We ask that all students familiarise themselves with these platforms prior to the start of classes so that we are able to use class time optimally. If you experience any difficulties or require assistance, please send an email to: kritzinger.t@belgiumcampus.ac.za   Should we receive further communication from the Government requiring us to change our approach, you will be informed in due time. Yours sincerely, Belgium Campus iTversity Management

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Belgium Campus COVID-19 Communication (7)

Belgium Campus COVID-19 Communication (7) Dear: Students, Parents and Staff   During Monday night’s State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a 21-day national lockdown starting 26 March at midnight. The terms of this lockdown include the closure of all companies that are not essential to the production and transport of food, basic goods and medical supplies. However, companies who are able to continue their operations remotely have been encouraged to do so. Following this address, Belgium Campus iTversity would like to assure parents and students that every possible measure is being implemented to continue with the academic year. Online classes will commence on 15 April as previously communicated and we ask that all tuition payments continue as scheduled to allow for this. Online classes will be recorded and made available to students for revision purposes and for students who, for one reason or another, were unable to join a class. The classes will enable students to interact directly with their lecturers and peers during class time and after classes through dedicated groups and chat forums. Further information and logistical arrangements will be communicated to students and parents via email and will also be made available on students’ online portals and through Microsoft Teams. Residence students will be allowed to occupy residence after the lockdown. Under no circumstances will students be permitted to occupy residence at an earlier date. Please note: this date is currently 17 April but is subject to change dependant on further communication from the Government. We encourage parents/students to continue making residence payments as scheduled. Lost time will likely be caught up during the holidays and residence accommodation will be made available during this time. We ask all members of the Belgium Campus community to play their part to remain safe during this difficult time. Continue to follow the precautionary measures outlined by the World Health Organization and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and comply with all instructions provided by the Government to mitigate the spread of the virus. This includes the following: Stay at home and avoid public places; Only leave home to seek medical care and/or to buy food, medicine and other necessities; Limit social interaction; Maintain social distancing, maintain at least 1 metre distance between yourself and anyone else at all times; Do not shake hands or hug; Take extra care of personal hygiene, wash hands frequently with hand sanitizers or soap and water for at least 20 seconds; Practise respiratory hygiene, this means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze; If you think you have contracted the COVID-19 virus, you are required to inform the authorities’ helpline immediately on 0800029999 and inform Belgium Campus iTversity.   Yours sincerely, Belgium Campus iTversity Management

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Belgium Campus COVID-19 Communication (6)

Belgium Campus COVID-19 Communication (6) Dear: Parents and Students   Belgium Campus iTversity has received new communication from the Department of Higher Education and Training surrounding COVID-19 and the reopening of higher education institutions. In compliance with this communication, classes at Belgium Campus will resume on 15 April 2020. Residence students will therefore be able to take up residence from 14 April 2020. Under no circumstances will residence students be able to return earlier than this date. Please note: future directive from the Minister of Higher Education may affect these dates. We are in the process of implementing 14 virtual studios to ensure that in the event we are unable to resume contact classes, online classes will start 15 April 2020. Further information regarding these classes will be communicated to you shortly. Our entire faculty and technical staff are preparing online classes, if needed, to ensure that we are able to resume classes on time. We intend to make use of Microsoft Teams over Canvas. This tool will provide our students with the same dedicated attention and interactive experience as our contact classes do, by allowing them to communicate with their lecturers and their peers virtually. Further logistical details will be communicated in due time. In the meantime, we ask that everyone continues to stay safe and follows the precautionary measures outlined by the World Health Organization and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases to mitigate the spread of the virus. This includes the following: Limit social interaction; Maintain social distancing, maintain at least 1 metre distance between yourself and anyone else at all times; Not shake hands or hug; Take extra care of personal hygiene, particularly the practice of hand-hygiene; Practise respiratory hygiene, this means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze; Self-quarantine if you show any flu-like-, cold- or similar respiratory symptoms such as cough. You are required to practice self-quarantine and inform the authorities’ helpline immediately on 0800029999 and inform Belgium Campus iTversity.   Yours sincerely, Belgium Campus iTversity Management

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Belgium Campus COVID-19 Communication (5)

Belgium Campus COVID-19 Communication (5) Dear: Parents and Students   Since the announcement of the first positive case of the COVID-19 virus in South Africa, we have been following the situation closely. Looking into the future, we are in the process of evaluating the impact the virus will have on the academic year and our institution as a whole, while keeping the health of our students and staff our highest priority. We received a letter from the Minister of Higher Education and Training on Tuesday 17 March 2020, demanding all public and private post-school institutions to close for early recess and that all students are sent home with effect from 18 March 2020. In compliance, we took the proactive decision to already suspend all classes and assessments on Monday 16 March. We will also be closing our residences on Friday 20 March and have requested that all residence students vacate their rooms by this time. As it stands, we are hoping to reopen and resume classes on 14 April 2020. However, the global developments show no indication that the pandemic will be over soon, nor that life will resume as normal. The COVID-19 virus is most likely going to be around for a while, requiring the Government to keep implementing certain measures to limit the spread. Our entire faculty and technical staff are preparing online classes, if needed, to ensure that we are able to resume classes on time. We intend to make use of Microsoft Teams over Canvas. This tool will provide our students with the same dedicated attention and interactive experience as our contact classes do, by allowing them to communicate with their lecturers and their peers virtually. Further logistical details will be communicated in due time. We would like to assure students and parents that the decisions we are taking are in compliance with Government’s measures and in the interest of all involved. We encourage everyone to stay safe and follow the necessary precautions as outlined by the World Health Organization to mitigate the spread of the virus. This includes the following: Limit social interaction; Maintain social distancing, maintain at least 1 metre distance between yourself and anyone else at all times; Not shake hands or hug; Take extra care of personal hygiene, particularly the practice of hand-hygiene; Practise respiratory hygiene, this means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze; Self-quarantine if you show any flu-like-, cold- or similar respiratory symptoms such as cough. You are required to practice self-quarantine and inform the authorities’ helpline immediately on 0800029999 and inform Belgium Campus iTversity.   Yours sincerely, Belgium Campus iTversity Management

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