Coronavirus and new practices

The doors of the campuses are open normally. At other times, students can access to campuses with their 24/7 access card. One can order card from ICT services. 

Responsible and careful following of hygiene instructions is required from every visitor. You must not enter the campus if you have any symptoms of coronavirus infection. 

Guidelines for organizing teaching 

The studies are organized as contact teaching, distance learning, multimodal teaching and hybrid teaching. The teaching method is decided by the teacher in charge of the course so follow the communication of your teacher on Moodle, Peppi and email. 

In planning studies in which re-planning the course would be difficult as circumstances and regional COVID-19 infection situation change, distance learning is  emphasized.  

Contact teaching is possible whenever it is considered necessary from the point of view of pedagogical aspects, existing plans and practical aspects. When organising teaching at the University premises, valid safety guidelines and risk assessment shall be taken into account. If you get symptoms you should not attend contact teaching. Too many participants in the same classroom should be avoided. In mass lectures, distance lectures are preferred. 

The teaching arrangements will be informed on a course basis. The teachers in charge of the courses are responsible for organizing courses and informing students. Please follow also faculty bulletins.

As a rule, the students´ know-how is evaluated using Exam or alternative assessment methods. The teacher in charge of the course decides on the teaching and assessment method and informs the students about them.

ICT support for studying

The university's ICT services operate normally.
Contact Campus ICT support services: helpdesk@oulu.fi

Guidance and counselling services

All guidance and counselling services are working remotely. According University’s guidelines in guidance, Teacher Tutor is the first to contact in questions concerning studing, secondly Academic Affairs Service Teams. Students can book appointment with study and career counseller and study psychologist. Guidance may be given by phone, Skype, Teams or some other way to be agreed. Teachers will advice and guide in questions concersing courses. University premises can be utilized for necessary face-to-face guidance, taking into account the distance and hygiene instructions.

Support requests: opiskeluntuki@oulu.fi 

Graduation

Graduation  follows normal schedule and procedures instructed by the faculties. However, there is some delay in delivering the diplomas because of the general situation. Diplomas are sent by mail. Notice that, as a University of Oulu students, you can download an official digital transcript from WebOodi, where the degree information is also available.
You can also see your degree information from studyinfo.fi -service. From studyinfo.fi -service, you can provide a link to your degree information, for instance, for an employer.

Financial assistance for foreign students

Foreign students are generally expected to meet their own financial needs. First find out if you could get financial assistance from another source. If you are in Finland on a non-temporary basis, you can get social assistance on the same terms as any Finnish national living in Finland. Kela will make an overall assessment of the nature of your residence in Finland. If you have stayed in Finland for a very short period of time, you will probably be considered a temporary resident. In that case, you will be entitled to the essential part of basic social assistance, which covers food and essential medicines. The assistance is provided in the form of vouchers. More information on Kela’s pages.
 
Information and guidelines for teachers can be found in intranet Patio.

Moodle
Student financial aid and other Kela´s benefits in exceptional situation
 

Incoming exchange students

The studies can be organized as contact teaching, distance learning, multimodal teaching and hybrid teaching. The development of the corona pandemic is constantly monitored. Incoming students must be present in Oulu, virtual exchange is not possible.

Incoming students are expected to follow the national and regional guidelines of the Finnish authorities (guidelines of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare,  guidelines of the Finnish Border Guard).

Incoming students have been instructed to agree on the completion methods with persons responsible for their courses. Exchange students’ study right at the University of Oulu will be valid according to the earlier decision even if the student would return to the home country.

Outgoing exchange students

Outgoing students are recommended to take out a comprehensive insurance policy and possibly avoid going to certain countries. This may concern for example the countries in which the virus spreads actively or the incidence of COVID-19 is significantly higher than in Finland. More information on outgoing student exchange.

International Mobility Services: international.office@oulu.fi 

University doors are open for visitors. Visitors are advised to follow the hygiene instructions of the University. When visiting from abroad or returning to Finland, regulations and instructions about the quarantine and/or certificate issued by the authorities (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Finnish Border Guard) must be followed.

When organising events necessary for the operation of the University of Oulu in the premises of the University, the regional restrictions imposed by the authorities must be taken into account. The organiser of the event takes care of the necessary safety arrangements and compliance with the instructions.  Detailed instructions for the organiser are on intranet Patio (for staff).

When you are planning an event, consider online meeting or hybrid meeting as an alternative to a face-to-face meeting. Take into account the duration of the occasion, the objectives and the number of participants.

Doctoral thesis defenses

When organising Doctoral thesis defenses university´s safety instructions and regional restrictions imposed by the authorities (regarding public events) must be taken into account. 

The university recommends that thesis defenses can be followed using remote video connection until 31 August 2022.  Information on dissertation events and remote connection will be informed in oulu.fi frontpage at section Theses. The opponent can participate in the public examination at campus or via video remote connection until 31 August 2022.

Coffee service and/or karonkka are not part of the official dissertation event and it is doctoral candidate´s responsibility to decide on these and take into account the regional instructions and restrictions. 

More practical information for arranging doctoral dissertation during coronavirus pandemic on Patio (for staff). 

If you get symptoms, stay at home and see the instructions of the City of Oulu or your home municipality. 

For occupational healthcare related information, see intranet Patio (for staff).

The University of Oulu recommends vaccination against coronavirus to students and staff.

Municipalities organise vaccination events and will specify when and where you can get a vaccination. If you live in Oulu, see the booking schedule on the vaccination page of the City of Oulu. Vaccines are offered to different groups in accordance with pre-set order. Vaccines are free for all people living in Finland. 

University staff can have a vaccination also in occupational health care. More information in Patio. 

How is the coronavirus situation followed and the actions of the university managed?

University corona preparedness team is constantly monitoring the situation and the instructions given by authorities and cooperates with regional authorities such as the Hospital District, the Regional State Administrative Agency and the City of Oulu. The Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Coordination Group and the City of Oulu provide recommendations and instructions for controlling the coronavirus epidemic and ensuring health and safety in Northern Ostrobothnia and Oulu. The preparedness team meets when necessary and makes decisions and instructions on the university's activities based on the information received. The guidelines will be communicated to the university community and published on the coronavirus monitoring page. Detailed guidelines for staff  can be found from intranet Patio.

The operational team established to deal with the coronavirus situation will ensure the implementation of the guidelines throughout the community and will take the necessary additional measures within its respective areas of responsibility. The operational team shall report to the preparedness team on actions taken and issues that require further clarification. 

Practical arrangements for education and research in exceptional circumstances are led by deans and heads of units.

The university does not process data on personal infections or exposure; it is done by healthcare professionals.

How is the coronavirus situation communicated?

University-level communication is coordinated and implemented by the Communication Unit of the university. Information related to the implementation of courses, exams and faculties’ policies is carried out by the persons responsible in the faculties and departments. Students and staff will mainly be informed along the following channels:

• General communication to students: News for students oulu.fi/forstudents and Tuudo, email, social media (responsible: communication, academic affairs, human resources)
• Course-related communication for students: Moodle, email, degree programme news (responsible: teachers in charge of courses)
• Staff: Patio instructions, news and email (responsible: communication, human resources, academic affairs, ICT)