We will arrange flights to welcome overseas students safely in September

The University of Bolton has announced innovative plans to welcome international students to its Covid-secure campus this September.

The University is working closely with Manchester Airport and Bolton Council to support international students to travel to the UK and any quarantine requirements.

The University has formulated plans to fly students from India, China and Africa to the UK before the new semester starts in September. Once they have landed here, the University will organise airport pick-up, onward travel by dedicated coaches, and quarantine support.

This support will be available for new international students joining this September and its returning students to ensure that they feel welcomed and confident to study at the University of Bolton, which was has been rated in the top five Universities in the UK and number one in the North West for Student Satisfaction.

Professor George E Holmes DL, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, said that the students’ safety would be paramount throughout their entire journey and when they arrive on campus.

He said: “The University of Bolton is open for international students. They are an incredibly important part of our institution.”

The University has announced a range of  measures to ensure it can reopen its campus safely for students and staff in September. It has released an animated video starring cartoon character ‘LearnEd the Owl’ which outlines in detail how the campus will be made Covid-19 secure in time for the new academic year.

Measures will include:

• Installing sophisticated airport style walk through temperature scanners at every building entry.
• Purchasing 1,000 bicycles which will be made available for loan at no charge by students, enabling them to avoid crowded public transport.
• Providing regular socially distanced face-to-face tutorials, laboratory experience, access to arts studios and specialist facilities, etc.
• Implementing an effective scheduling system, limiting significantly the number of students on campus at any one time to keep everyone secure.
• Strictly observing recommended social distancing guidelines at all times.
• Providing and making the wearing of face coverings on campus compulsory for the foreseeable future to safeguard everyone’s safety.
• Carefully managed walking routes including one-way navigation.
• Multiple ‘learning zones’ being created across the campus, by identifying and transforming large spaces into areas featuring tables with plastic dividing screens to allow communication between people facing one another.
• Additional self-service, café-style takeaway food and drink stations to minimise queues.
• Instigating a rigorous cleansing programme throughout all university buildings.

Work is now underway on the adaptations, which are being carried out with the involvement of key academic and support staff. Prof Holmes said: “We have clearly laid out our innovative plans to make the campus Covid-secure for students and staff to return to in September.

“We pride ourselves on our diverse community and every year we welcome students from across the globe.

“We are committed to welcoming international students to the University of Bolton, as well as UK students, to campus in September.

“We will ensure that from the moment they leave their home in whatever country they are from, that their safety is paramount.

“We will assist and support international students on the entire journey, ensuring that they remain within their own ‘bubble’ from the moment they set off until the moment they come out of quarantine in the UK.”

Prof Holmes added: “Students will have access to a fully operational University campus and be able to study and engage in person with other students and staff.

“I am determined that the University of Bolton is ahead of the game in transforming its campus to create a place where our students from all over the world feel safe and happy and can make the most of their experience of Higher Education.

“The University student experience is not just about learning. Students want to see their friends in person, they want to engage with their tutors.

“Under our plans we can ensure they will be able to do this safely in September.”

The animated video outlining the University of Bolton safety measures under the ‘new normal’ can be watched at: https://we.tl/t-Lh3nDTW8De