VIVES closely monitors the situation on the coronavirus (COVID-19), always taking into account the advice of the government and in close consultation with KU Leuven. You will find the latest updates on this webpage.

Message from our president, Joris Hindryckx (07/03/2022)

Dear student

I sincerely hope that you have started well the second semester. Now that the corona figures are gradually moving into the right direction, we can introduce flexibilities within our university college.

As of Monday, March 7, 2022, it is no longer mandatory to wear a mouth mask on our campus, even when moving around on campus. This applies to both students and co-workers. Of course, you may decide to continue wearing your mouth mask. We ask you to respect everyone's choice. Those taking classes at KU Leuven campus in Bruges must respect the guidelines of KU Leuven.

The decreasing trend of the corona figures also gives us the opportunity to fully commit to contact teaching again as from Monday, March 7, 2022. For those in quarantine or isolation, online education will also be provided where possible. Of course we will continue to focus on digital forms of education as well, and we will continue to sustainably implement the knowledge that the corona crisis has taught us in the area of digital technology into our education.

We are relieved that with these relaxations we can finally, and this time hopefully permanently, return to a normal student life and a vibrant campus life.

Of course we remain vigilant. If you experience symptoms that point to a corona infection, be sure to stay home. If you test positive, then you have to comply with the quarantine guidelines.

I wish you a very happy student life in the coming months.

Kind regards

Joris Hindryckx

President

 

Message from our president, Joris Hindryckx (29/11/2021)

Dear student

The ferocity of the fourth wave of Corona is turning our lives upside down. Many are in quarantine or isolation or have roommates who have tested positive. The organisation of our education has become very complex due to the many infections and quarantines.

Even though we remain in code green in higher education, we can hardly speak of colours anymore. Therefore, we will switch to a flexible and hybrid educational environment. This means that all theory classes will continue to take place on the campuses, but from tomorrow onwards, they will also be streamed and where possible, recorded. This way, you can choose to follow the classes via streaming or on campus. With this measure, we expect a spontaneous decrease of the occupancy rate on our campuses without affecting the freedom of choice of our students.  

Practicals, labs, exams and lessons with a clear interactive format and lessons where preparation is required, will continue as they are, without streaming and in a normal one-to-one occupation, but with maximum spreading over the classroom. We are convinced that well-ventilated classrooms and a strict application of the mouth mask obligation create a safe learning environment. You will receive more information on the concrete organisation of your class schedule from your study programme coach.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will take additional measures if necessary. Keep well and take good care of each other. Limit your physical contacts, both on and off campus, but do keep sufficient contact with each other from a distance. Together we are strong!

Kind regards

Joris Hindryckx

President

Message from our president, Joris Hindryckx (16/11/2021)

Dear colleague

Dear student

In view of the increasing incidence of corona contamination, as of tomorrow, Wednesday 17 November 2021, a modified mouth mask obligation will apply on all our campuses. In concrete terms, this means the following:

  • During circulation in the buildings and in the classrooms you keep your mouth mask on.
  • Also during lessons, practicals and exams you keep your mask on, unless you can keep 1.5 metres distance. This rule also applies to the working and meeting areas of our staff. Only when a sufficient distance (1.5 metres) can be maintained the mask may be removed. Teachers can remove their masks when they are teaching if they are able to maintain a sufficient distance (1.5 metres).
  • In meeting rooms, student restaurants, multipurpose rooms ... you keep your mask on, even when you are sitting down, unless you can keep a distance of 1.5 metres or you are eating/drinking.

It is also important to pay sufficient attention to hand hygiene and ventilation.

We are, of course, closely monitoring the federal government's consultations and will adjust our measures in the coming days, if necessary.

Thank you for your cooperation. Please remain vigilant and be careful in your social contacts.

Kind regards,

Joris Hindryckx

President

Message from our president, Joris Hindryckx (26/10/2021)

Dear student

 

I sincerely hope that you have made a good start with your studies.

 

In view of the current state of the epidemic, we ask that from Wednesday 27 October 2021

  • to wear a mouth mask again when moving around in the VIVES buildings. When you are sitting down to attend class, you can take off your mask.
  • to put on the mouth mask when circulating in the classroom.

Your teacher can also ask you to keep your mask on in the lessons and labs, because of the presence of at-risk patients in the class or because of certain circumstances (e.g. too little ventilation, too close together, ...).

 

Needless to say, you may decide to continue to wear your mask at all times.

We ask to respect everyone's choice.

Continue to ensure adequate hand hygiene and ventilation.

Disinfect your hands sufficiently and ensure good ventilation in the room. Open the door and windows (where possible).

If you do not have a mouth mask with you, you can always get one at the reception desk.

Anyone taking classes in the buildings of the KU Leuven campus in Bruges must respect the guidelines of KU Leuven.

If the consultation committee imposes stricter measures in the future, these will of course take precedence over the above agreements.

As a university college, we remain very vigilant. If you show symptoms that indicate a corona infection, make sure to stay at home and contact your doctor. If you test positive, you must of course follow the quarantine guidelines. In case of a positive test, report this to VIVES using the reporting form on our website.

 

Kind regards

Joris Hindryckx

Preventive measures

What can you do yourself to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (and other diseases such as flu)?

  1. Be sure to wash your hands regularly and thoroughly (40 to 60 sec.) with soap and water.
  2. Do you have to cough? Put it in a paper handkerchief or in the inside of your elbow.
  3. Use paper handkerchiefs when sneezing or sniffing and throw them away in a lockable bin.
  4. Avoid giving hands. Greet each other with a wave or elbow.
  5. Be sure to stay home when you are sick. Don't go to work or school.
  6. Avoid close contact with sick people yourself.
  7. Try to be careful not to touch your face with your hands as much as possible.

More information

 

VIVES University of Applied Sciences

International Offices:
VIVES Bruges: +32 50 30 52 33
VIVES Kortrijk: +32 56 26 41 64