As soon as the warnings about the worldwide spread of COVID-19 and its effects in Ecuador became known, UEES activated an interdisciplinary Emergency Committee to analyze the information received, make permanent assessments of the situation and take the necessary actions to protect the health of its university community and the country.
This committee is made up of professionals in the fields of health, communication, law, systems, economics (undergraduate and graduate), as well as UEES managers and administrators. The important thing, from the very beginning, was to maintain the pace of the institution, convinced that in this type of crisis it is essential to continue training and educating people to recover, as far as possible, stability and help rebuild the country.
From the very beginning, the university was concerned about informing the basic health norms approved by the World Health Organization, the Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador and other entities. We have carried out constant campaigns on prevention measures against COVID-19 in different messages, insisting on permanent hand washing, the distance of one and a half meters between people, not attending mass gatherings, staying at home and teleworking. Likewise, not to spread false or catastrophic news, verification of sources of the information received, permanent contact with Ecuadorian government agencies to share and support their measures.
The UEES has asked the INSPI for authorization to carry out the virus detection tests, in addition to its support to integrate a network of health professionals to attend people's consultations by telephone so as not to congest the hospitals. In the next few days we hope to receive this authorization to be able to attend and collaborate in this task that belongs to all of us.
Regarding its undergraduate, graduate and continuing education activities, UEES began last week to move all its face-to-face classes to the “online” modality and make the respective follow-up to obtain an efficiency of 100%. This measure has been approved by students and parents, who see the safety of their children guaranteed and at the same time fulfilling their objectives of obtaining a quality education. UEES maintains the goal that its students comply with their schedules and pass their degree in the agreed time.
UEES administrative and academic activities are also carried out from home through virtual offices, thus meeting the requirements of the MOH. Only minimal staff is present on the university campus. Deans, directors, full-time faculty, service and support staff work on a regular virtual basis.
The Academic Regime Regulation (RRA) that governs the country's higher education institutions allows for flexible models of education in which 25% of classes are “online” for face-to-face programs and degrees.
For new students interested in studying at UEES this year in the regular academic period, scheduled for late April, the university has active enrollment and registration services, which can be done through the website www.uees.edu.ec.
In order to deal with this serious health crisis, it is necessary to take the necessary measures to ensure cleanliness, not to leave their homes, and not to spread false news that may cause panic.
