THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19 TO STUDENTS, ACADEMIC STAFFS, AND UNIVERSITIES: EXPERIENCE AND EXPECTATIONS

Abstract

The disruptive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic particularly on education sector is of great concern. This infectious disease has changed the education landscape significantly, around the globe. As reported by UNESCO, a total of 1.598 billion learners from 194 countries are affected due to the closure of educational institutions at all grade levels in 2020. Since it was first identified on 7 January 2020, the COVID-19 has affected the students, academic staffs and universities in many ways. The students’ learning was greatly affected, their graduation was delayed, their internship was cancelled and they have lost job opportunities. The academic staffs had to adapt with new norm of teaching delivery method, from hybrid or blended learning to online learning. The universities are no exception. The universities’ management had to upgrade support systems to assist students and academic staffs, while maintaining the quality of teaching and learning in the university. The success of teaching and learning
is absolutely requires commitment from all parties. As a matter of fact, we are still facing COVID-19. After more than a year confronting this invisible enemy, we have collected a number of experiences and expectations. These will be the keys for us to explore new horizons in higher education