Many are also observing that Sweden’s government and Public Health Authority are making different assessments of the situation and the measures required compared to that of equivalent authorities in your home country.
The University Management and I have great confidence in how the Swedish government and Public Health Authority are handling the spread of the coronavirus in Sweden. We are monitoring developments closely and we are prepared for the transition to distance education. We made the transition when Swedish expert authorities decided it was time.
As the University has now switched to distance education, it is particularly important that you maintain contact with your department and with your programme coordinator or course director, who is aware of what applies to your programme or course in particular. You may be receiving a lot of information, however, please do not hesitate to ask if there are any uncertainties regarding your studies or related matters. We are collaborating with all relevant authorities to solve specific issues concerning international students and finding yourself abroad at this time.
Those who are a long way from home may have a greater need for social contact with fellow students and other friends they have met during their studies. Therefore, stay in contact with your family and friends as well as your fellow students in ways that are currently possible, online or in other ways. The most important thing right now is that you are not on campus or meeting with others when you are sick, which also applies to mild symptoms. Follow the recommendations from the Swedish Public Health Authority – these are the same recommendations applied by the University and you can read about them on the current student webpages.
At all levels, not least the teaching staff, programme coordinators and course directors, we are working as hard as we can to ensure that your studies here in Sweden will function given the unusual situation in which the world finds itself. I appreciate the courage you have shown in moving to another country to explore the world. Now, your courage is being put to the test. Our international community makes Lund University what it is today – an international university! We are committed to remaining one going forward.
We are a strong university, we have the capacity to manage this transition and we will achieve this by helping one another. Many creative initiatives are now underway – students, teaching staff and administrators are lending a hand in different ways. Together, albeit with distance between us, we are strong!
Finally, take care of yourself and stay in touch with family, friends and teaching staff.
Torbjörn von Schantz, Vice-Chancellor of Lund University