Coronavirus instructions

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. University of Oulu recommends the use of face masks at least in situations where it is difficult to avoid close contact. University of Oulu also recommends that students and staff members start to use the Koronavilkku app to create a safe study and work environment.

Guidelines for organizing teaching 

The studies for the autumn semester 2021 are planned to be organized as contact teaching, distance learning, multimodal teaching and hybrid teaching. The development of the corona pandemic is constantly monitored and, in terms of studies, preparations are also made for distance learning in all studies. In particular, in planning studies in which re-planning the course would be difficult as circumstances 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. The given safety instructions must be followed in contact teaching. Too many participants in the same classroom should be avoided. When teaching is held on the university premises, face masks should be used. In mass lectures, distance lectures are preferred.

Orientation week for new students will take place on campuses and the programme will be updated to the New students pages. Face masks or other protective equipment required by the situation will be shared for students. 

The teaching arrangements will be informed on a course basis, for example through Moodle or WebOodi or by e-mail. The teachers in charge of the courses are responsible for organizing courses and informing students according to faculty-specific guidelines. Please follow also faculty bulletins.

As a rule, the students´ know-how is evaluated using Exam or alternative assessment methods. In examinations arranged on the campus, the safety instructions must be followed. The teacher in charge of the course decides on the teaching and assessment method and informs the students about them.

Programs, tools and devices during distance learning

By installing OpenVPN client and remote desktop connection into your computer, you can use your network drives and the programs licensed by the University, such as Adams, Amos, Archicad, AutoCAD, Consol, CST Studio, Julia, Mathematica, MatLab, NVivo, Origin, Rhono, R, Revit, SAS and SPSS.

Information about printing opportunities and opening of laptop vendors, self-study workstations and computer classrooms can be found from ICT services webpage. 

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 during exceptional situation

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
 

International student exchange will take place normally in autumn 2021.

Incoming exchange students

The studies for the autumn semester 2021 are planned to be organized as contact teaching, distance learning, multimodal teaching and hybrid teaching. The development of the corona pandemic is constantly monitored and, in terms of studies, preparations are also made for distance learning in all studies. 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 must follow the hygiene instructions of the University. University of Oulu recommends taking care of good hand hygiene and avoiding near contacts. A face mask is recommended on the university premises at least in situations where it is difficult to avoid close contacts. Visitors from abroad must comply with the regulations and instructions about the quarantine and certificate issued by the authorities (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Finnish Border Guard).

It is possible to organise events necessary for the operation of the University of Oulu in the premises of the University. Excessive numbers of participants in the same space should be avoided. The organiser of the event takes care of the necessary safety arrangements and compliance with the instructions. 

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 can be held normally avoiding excessive numbers of participants in the same space. The organizer of the thesis defence event should ensure compliance with the safety instructions. The thesis defenses must be able to be followed using remote video connection until 31 December 2021.  More information on dissertation events will be informed in oulu.fi frontpage at section Theses. The opponent can access campuses if the restrictions and recommendations of the public authorities do not exclude this possibility. Alternatively, the opponent can participate in the public examination via video remote connection. Coffee service and/or karonkka are not part of the official disseratation event and it is doctoral candidate´s responsibility to decide on these. There is no longer an exact restriction on the number of participants for private events in the region. More practical information for arranging doctoral dissertation during coronavirus pandemic in Patio (for staff). 

For University staff work-related travel within Finland is allowed only if it is necessary.  Necessary international travel is possible when travelling in accordance with the health and safety instructions of Finland and the destination country. More information in Patio (for staff).

When returning to Finland, the instructions of the authorities in relation to quarantine and certificates must be taken into account (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Finnish Border Guard).

Visits from abroad are possible. The instructions of the authorities in relation to quarantine and certificates must be taken into account.

Check the Ministry for Foreign Affairs website for the latest travel advisories.

Questions and answers about travelling and coronavirus (MFA)

If you have symptoms, stay at home and avoid contacts with other people. Get tested for coronavirus if you have been exposed to the coronavirus or you have not been vaccinated twice.

If you suspect coronavirus infection, you can take online medical COVID-19 symptom check-up to see if you need to seek test or treatment.

As a rule, coronavirus are tested by your home municipality. The coronavirus test is free of charge. For more information how to get tested for coronavirus see Coronavirus information at the City of Oulu web page.

For occupational healthcare related information, see intranet Patio.

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

City of Oulu organises walk-in coronavirus vaccination events intended for all students and staff at the University of Oulu. You can take the first coronavirus vaccination or the second if enough time has elapsed since the previous vaccination. You are entitled to vaccination even if you are not registered in Oulu.

Walk-in event of the Linnanmaa Campus will be held in the Saalasti Hall (University main building, Pentti Kaiteran katu 1) from 13 to 17 September from 9 am to 3 pm.

Walk-in vaccinations on Kontinkangas:

• Mon 20 Sept at 9am - 3pm, University of Oulu, Aapistie 7A, Tellus
• Tue 21 Sept at 9am - 3pm, Oamk, Kiviharjuntie 4, rooms 3067–3070
• Wed 22 Sept at 9am - 3pm, University of Oulu, Aapistie 7A, Tellus
• Thu 23 Sept at 9am - 3pm, Oamk, Kiviharjuntie 4, rooms 3067–3070

Municipalities organise also other 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. 

The COVID-19 sample is taken from symptomatic persons based on the doctor's or the nurse's estimate.

In Oulu, mapping of coronavirus infections and exposure to infection is carried out and necessary quarantine measures are set by the Hospital District of North Ostrobothnia (PPSHP) under the guidance of physician of infectious diseases. Contacts with exposed persons come from health authorities and measures are taken in accordance with the PPSHP guidelines. The university cooperates with the health authorities, but the exposure assessment and measures are always decided by an infectious doctor. The university does not process data on personal infections or exposure; it is done by healthcare professionals.

University of Oulu recommend that students and staff members start to use the Koronavilkku app. In this way we can work together to create a safe study and work environment.

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.

How the situation proceeds?

Currently, teaching and working is carried out remotely  as much as possible. The teaching arrangements are informed on a course basis, for example through Moodle or by e-mail. The teachers in charge of the courses are responsible for organizing courses and informing students according to faculty-specific guidelines. Support for digital education has been enhanced.

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, faculties’ policies or, for example, cancellation of events 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 news and email (responsible: communication, human resources, academic affairs, ICT)