The last week of a semester out of the ordinary

eLearning photos
eLearning photos
Theses defenses and online exams
Theses defenses and online exams
Online graduation ceremonies
Online graduation ceremonies
The employees carried on working during the emergency, under the motto #USI Services. Open, but in a different way
The employees carried on working during the emergency, under the motto #USI Services. Open, but in a different way
The set in the Aula magna to shoot, among other things, the 24th Dies academicus
The set in the Aula magna to shoot, among other things, the 24th Dies academicus
Students and staff have volunteered in the community to assist the most vulnerable people.
Students and staff have volunteered in the community to assist the most vulnerable people.
The semester was not only about education and work. The videos
The semester was not only about education and work. The videos "Sports Pills" provided breaks for physical activity

Institutional Communication Service

25 May 2020

At the beginning of this spring semester the COVID-19 emergency seemed far away and the measures taken by USI only affected members of the academic community returning from China, who were requested a 14-day quarantine period. As the weeks went by, the emergency touched the whole community.

As the degree of emergency imposed by the authorities increased, USI progressively implemented its pandemic plan and related security measures. The campuses have been empty for weeks. It is important to underline that, first and foremost, USI stands by those members of the community who directly suffered the consequences of the virus.

Despite the difficult circumstances, the activities of the university have never stopped. Courses were completed, exams were organised, researchers and staff carried on with their work, support was provided to international students, deadlines at the Swiss National Science Foundation were met and even continuing education programmes found ways to complete their sessions. Several events took place for the first time at a distance: the 24th Dies academicus, graduation ceremonies, the Bachelor Info Days and the Master Info Week (with a virtual tour that allowed future students to take a look at the university campuses). At the Academy of Architecture special attention was given to public conferences, also online, which marked the spring semester.

Now that the measures have been relaxed, USI would like to thank students, members of the teaching staff, and office staff for the great spirit of adaptation and for completing the semester. A goal not to be taken granted, which required the commitment of the entire USI community, which, united, was able to face the pandemic in safety while remaining faithful to its mission: to offer training, research and service to the region

The photo gallery features some meaningful images of the remote study, teaching and working experience. Below, a selection of articles from www.usi.ch/notizie shows how USI has adapted its activities to remain faithful to its mission even during the emergency.

Restare fedeli alla propria missione ai tempi del COVID-19

In addition, several members of USI's academic body have made available to the community a series of short videos featuring different aspects of this exceptional, each from a disciplinary point of view. We take this opportunity to thank them and retrace their contributions, which we propose in alphabetical order: