As universities shut down, Aquinas gears up
Undergraduate students living at Aquinas College in Adelaide are relishing the advantage they expect to have as their universities move to online delivery of learning due to COVID-19.
Academic Director at Aquinas, Dr Sarah Moller, explains that the College plans to remain open and to continue to assist its resident students through extra tutorials, mentoring, structured study, free high-speed internet, and peer support.
‘The strength of our academic program is one of the main reasons for coming to Aquinas,’ says Dr Moller. ‘We are in the processing of expanding this considerably since it will not be easy for students to adjust to doing everything externally, not to mention their loss of social, sporting and employment opportunities.’
College Rector, Brother Michael, reports that he has received a number of enquiries in recent days from rural students who are in share-house arrangements, asking about possible enrolment at Aquinas.
‘They tell me are looking for more personal support and guidance in their study now that they find themselves effectively to be external students, and they also want community,’ Brother says. ‘Well, that’s what we do.’
Brother Michael emphasised that Aquinas gives priority to rural students, and the College is ready to assist anyone whose living conditions may not be ideal for these changed circumstances.