The hybrid class atmosphere at the ITS Physics Engineering Department

ITS Campus, ITS News – The decline in the current wave of Covid-19 cases in Indonesia to the determination of the status of Enforcement of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) level 1 in Surabaya has become the opening gate for the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh November (ITS) campus to re-organize hybrid lectures, starting Monday (20/9). ). The implementation of the first day of hybrid lectures in several departments at ITS was immediately reviewed by ITS Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng.

The Chancellor, who is familiarly called Ashari, revealed that this online and offline blended learning plan was tested in the last four weeks of the previous semester. However, the second wave of the coronavirus came, which caused ITS to postpone its continuation until now in the fourth week of the beginning of odd semester lectures. “This consideration also sees that the rapid decline in cases, as well as restrictions from the government, have dropped to level 1,” he said.

ITS Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng (second from right) during a review of hybrid lectures at the ITS Biology Department

Furthermore, he added, if this hybrid learning also comes from the request of the students. This is based on a survey that has been carried out with the results that 60 percent of students stated that they wanted to conduct hybrid lectures at ITS immediately.

In implementing face-to-face or offline lectures, several conditions must be met. Ashari explained if the students who take offline courses are the 2020 and 2021 batches, come from Surabaya, are in good health, and have been vaccinated. Before entering class, students must wash their hands first and have their body temperature measured.

ITS Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng greeted virtually the hybrid lecture participants who were present online at the ITS Chemical Engineering Department

The lecturers who teach must also have been vaccinated and in good health to teach in class. “The class situation has certainly met the standards and screening, so it can be ensured that it is safe and comfortable for students studying in class,” added the man from Sidoarjo.

Furthermore, class capacity is also limited, not more than 50 percent. Ashari said that from the academic field at ITS, ITS has collaborated with relevant departments to be grouped and divided equally. In each department, there can be three to four classes that hold lectures in a hybrid way, with a minimum of two courses that are allowed to be had.

ITS Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng while reviewing the hybrid lecture class at the ITS Marine Engineering Department

Technically, the academic field at ITS has coordinated with each department regarding the class standards used for face-to-face and online. Through funds from the campus, the department can manage it themselves by adjusting the needs of each class.

Ashari said that each department has also received information and standard tools used, ranging from cameras, monitors, and supporting equipment used so that students who attend online lectures still feel comfortable. “There is no need to use an operator because related lecturers and staff have been briefed on how to operate it,” he explained again.

ITS Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng greeted the hybrid lecture participants who were present offline at the ITS Chemical Engineering Department

In the end, Ashari hopes that in the future, the implementation of this hybrid lecture can run smoothly so that there will be an additional quota of students who can study face-to-face both from Surabaya and from outside the city. “We are slowly returning the campus atmosphere to how it used to be so that students can be happy and healthy to study offline (offline) at the ITS campus,” concluded the bespectacled man. (ITS Public Relation)

Reporter: Fatima Az Zahra