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HECA, the Higher Education Colleges Association, representing 13 independent colleges in Ireland, welcomes the publication of the Implementation Guidelines for Public Health Measures in Higher Education Institutions.
The guidelines are comprehensive and set out to give clear direction to HEIs while respecting their independence to make the right decisions for their students and staff, thereby meeting the key priority of protecting everyone’s health and wellbeing.
HECA was pleased to be part of the consultation process by the Department of Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science and is committed to the safe return of students and lecturers to campus.
Higher Education has been severely impacted by the spread of COVID-19, both in Ireland and globally. All stakeholders need to continue their strong efforts to meet the needs of our students, both domestic and international, whether they are studying in our classrooms, online or a blend of both. HECA encourages the Department to support students attending private colleges, in the same way they are supporting students attending public colleges and universities, through additional funding or resourcing required to manage through the current COVID-19 environment.
HECA colleges are now using this guidance to finalise their plans for the safe return of students in just a few weeks’ time.
