RMIT helps students continue overseas degrees amid COVID-19

RMIT helps students continue overseas degrees amid COVID-19

RMIT University is leveraging its global campuses to provide flexible study options and support services to students whose travel plans have been affected by COVID-19.

Despite new in-community COVID-19 cases, Vietnam is still considered one of the safest places to be and continues to receive waves of Vietnamese nationals returning home.

The pandemic has created unique circumstances for Vietnamese students abroad, especially in countries where international students have been disadvantaged by COVID-related policy changes.

For Vietnamese students returning to their native country, their options in the foreseeable future are to put their study on hold, switch to a local institution, or continue to study online with their overseas institution.

The pandemic has turned out to be particularly stressful for Vietnamese students abroad, many of whom are looking for ways to return to Vietnam. The pandemic has turned out to be particularly stressful for Vietnamese students abroad, many of whom are looking for ways to return to Vietnam.

Currently enrolled at RMIT University in Australia, Bachelor of Communication (Media) student Dinh Anh Phuong arrived home to Hanoi in late March after the situation in Australia became uncertain.

Anh Phuong chose to continue her current RMIT program through online delivery, saying she was willing to adapt to the changes and make the most of the situation.

“It can sometimes be inconvenient because of the time zone differences, but I’m glad to have full access to the RMIT campus in Hanoi,” she said.

“I personally feel that I study better in an on-campus space like the library. I can also borrow some equipment from the local campus to complete my assignments, so that helps a lot.”

Anh Phuong is among a group of Vietnamese students enrolled at RMIT in Australia, who have been provided with special access to the Vietnam campuses upon returning home. They will continue online until they can travel again to Australia.

The group includes a mix of PhD, postgraduate, undergraduate, foundation and exchange students, as well as the first cohort of flight cadets pursuing an RMIT Associate Degree in Aviation as part of a new partnership between the University and VinAcademy.

A new initiative in response to COVID-19 enables students enrolled in RMIT programs in Australia to have access to student facilities on the Vietnam campuses. A new initiative in response to COVID-19 enables students enrolled in RMIT programs in Australia to have access to student facilities on the Vietnam campuses.

The students have access to RMIT’s on-campus facilities such as the library, study spaces, computer labs, sports and recreation centres, and the health clinic.

They can also access the full range of support services available to RMIT students in Vietnam, including wellbeing, academic support, and career services, in addition to the online support services provided by their base campus in Melbourne.

According to RMIT’s International Senior Manager Nguyen Tuong Oanh, the main aim of this initiative is to minimise disruptions to the students’ academic plans and motivate them to continue their studies during the pandemic.

“We want to let our students know that they are cherished members of the RMIT community wherever they are,” Ms Oanh said.

“It is in our means to provide a safe, comfortable and fully-equipped study environment for the students, so we did not hesitate to reach out to them and offer access to our local campuses.”

Wellbeing, sports and recreation, and other support services are a big part of the RMIT student experience. Wellbeing, sports and recreation, and other support services are a big part of the RMIT student experience.

As a global university with campuses in both Australia and Vietnam as well as a wide network of partner institutions, RMIT University is well positioned to respond to the COVID-19 situation.

Students returning to Vietnam from other overseas institutions also have the option to transfer their overseas study credits to an RMIT program, and continue studying to graduate with an RMIT degree.

Alternatively, they can study at RMIT and then transfer the study credits to their overseas university at an appropriate time.

RMIT will also support these students to apply for course credits or exemptions.

“We understand in times like these, education remains a priority and continuing with our lives as best as we can has never been more important,” said RMIT’s Global Marketing, Digital and Student Recruitment Director Tram Nguyen.

“Each and every student has unique circumstances and journeys. Our team can help to explore and advise students on possible pathways to keep them on track to the chosen study abroad destination, or to return home to continue their studies.”

Story: Ngoc Hoang

14 August 2020

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