Covid19 – FEUP

Access to the buildings is allowed every day, including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, between 7:30 am and 11:30 pm. After 8:30 pm the access will be through the doors with card readers.

On Sundays and holidays, access to the buildings will be through card-reader doors only.

Dear Members of the FEUP Community,

For information purposes, and based on the MCTES/DGS recommendations already disclosed, indications were given to all study cycles and services to prepare the 2^nd semester on-site for all classes, with flexibility to switch to mixed mode or distance education, if necessary.

It is also important to be aware of the following information received from the Public Health Unit – ACES Porto Oriental:

«Given the epidemiological situation of circulation of new variants of Sars-CoV-2, and considering the new update of the DGS Clinical Guidelines (Guidelines 004/2020 and 015/2020), only cohabitants without a complete vaccination schedule with booster dose or without a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the last 180 days are now considered high-risk contacts, requiring prophylactic isolation.

To low-risk contacts, which include all those occurring at FEUP, three measures are indicated soon after suspected exposure:

Making a rapid antigen test by a health professional up to the 3^rd day after exposure, at pharmacies or CMP Collection Posts, or a PCR test by requisition/code from the health services. You can see some antigen testing sites here and here – in Portuguese;
Self-monitoring of symptoms during the 14 days after exposure;
Restriction of unnecessary social contacts during the 14 days after exposure. »

The obligation to register attendance in all on-site classes and assessments remains, and it is still mandatory to communicate all positive cases of infection to direcao.feup@fe.up.pt or covid19@fe.up.pt.

This week, starting January 17^th, and according to the government’s deliberations (see here – in Portuguese), the mixed model of classes for this first semester will be maintained, and distance work will no longer be mandatory. In departments and services the heads of department shall organize the on-site and distance activities to ensure the proper functioning of FEUP.

The Library will be open during normal hours, and rooms B008, B009, B018, B019, B030 and B031 reserved for studying will also be open from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. Study rooms in departments may be open if security conditions are guaranteed locally.

————————

Free vaccination is available to all, and this is essential for the protection of the FEUP Community.

I highlight the importance of each one of us maintaining all adequate behaviours and precautions with safety, on Campus and also outside FEUP Campus!

Best wishes,

João Falcão e Cunha

Dean

PS. I share “La Vie en Rose” by Lady Gaga (2019), original of Édith Piaf and Louis Guglielmi.

Dear Members of the FEUP Community,

The evolution of the COVID-19 Pandemic that broke out in Portugal almost two years ago is common knowledge. I would like to remind you that some of the exceptional measures that have been taken correspond to the need to protect ourselves, ensuring that the academic activities considered essential keep carrying on.

In particular, the use of Saturdays for examinations was the way to maintain the possibility of on-site evaluation without compromising the remaining education activities. The Board of FEUP recognises the added effort of many to maintain these activities, namely the students and lecturers directly involved.

I am sure that when we return to normal operating conditions the exceptional measures will no longer apply, especially the generality of assessment tests on Saturday.

1. On-site activities at FEUP from 25^th December until 8^th January

It is reiterated that according to the new measures adopted by the Government [see MCTES 2021-11-25 in Portuguese] FEUP will maintain all activities as planned, with the following exceptions.

25-26 December and 1-2 January

The access to the facilities is interdict; exceptional cases must be duly justified and requested to FEUP’s Board by the Director of the respective Department or Service.

27 to 31 December and 3 to 8 January

Access to the facilities is allowed as stipulated for Saturdays, i.e. access is allowed between 7:30 am and 8:30 pm but only through the doors with card reader, and through the main door of building A.

Cafeterias should be closed in the week between Christmas and New Year

Between January 3^rd and 8^th, all tasks compatible with distance work will be carried out remotely, with the exception of services considered essential. The lecturing activities will be carried out remotely and in the same timetable, keeping the evaluation tests on-site at FEUP.

The Library will be closed except for the delivery and requisition of books.

2. On-site assessment tests

From 3^rd January onwards, the timetable for the on-site assessment tests will be as follows. Please note that there may be exams whose timetables will be altered from the ones initially foreseen.

Weekdays – 4 slots:

8:30-10:30 ▪ 11:30-13:30 ▪ 14:30-16:30 ▪ 17:30-19:30

Saturdays – 3 slots:

8:30-10:30 ▪ 11:30-13:30 ▪ 14:30-16:30

3. Symptoms, tests and vaccination

It is essential that anyone with Covid-19 symptoms to immediately contact SNS24, and is tested according to the recommendations. There are a number of chemist’s and sites that perform rapid antigen tests with 100% reimbursement (see here and here, in Portuguese).

Free vaccination is available to all, and this is essential for the protection of the FEUP Community.

————-

I highlight the importance of each one of us maintaining all adequate behaviours and precautions with safety, on Campus and also outside FEUP Campus!

Best wishes,

João Falcão e Cunha

Dean

PS. I share “Now or Never“, by Sankomota (a South African band).

Dear Members of the FEUP Community,

The process of transition of Integrated Master (MI) students to the new Bachelor (B) and Master (M) programmes is underway, but we are not in a position that the 1^st semester classes will start on the scheduled date.

This transition process is dependent on TSCS – Transition Support Computer System, an integral part of SIGARRA, under the responsibility of the Rectory of the U.Porto, and is also dependent on the FEUP services and the directors of the new B and M programmes. TSCS still has flaws that are being addressed to enable the acceleration of the transition of students.

Thus, for reasons that are in considerable part unrelated to FEUP and under the responsibility of the Rectory of the U.Porto, the 1^st semester classes will begin on the following dates:

1^st year of bachelor programmes with “FEUP Project”: 11^th October.

Other study cycles and other years: 18^th October.

This beginning of the 1st semester applies to all master’s degrees and doctoral programmes, since in general there are shared of curricular units (UCs) with the new study cycles resulting from the MIs.

The schedule of classes is adjusted, thus ending the 1^st semester classes one week later than planned.

Students who transfer from the MIs can consult the General Information (only available in Portuguese, for the present moment, and regularly updated) on the process.

Summary of the stages of the transition process

1^st stage: transition process and crediting done in TSCS: it can be automatic, based on rules defined by the Director of Study Cycles (DCE) or partially automatic. For each student it results a plan of UCs in the new B and/or M programmes. The student has the possibility to consult his/her situation and result in SIGARRA (see General Information for more details and examples).

2^nd stage: manual crediting process in which the DCE completes the automatic recognition of the UCs already done in the MIs, resulting in the complete plan of the UCs in the new B and/or M programmes. The student receives a notification in SIGARRA and has now the possibility to question the DCE (preferably by e-mail) about the crediting done and homologated (see General Information for further details and examples).

3^rd stage: If all is well with the crediting done, the student can make his/her enrolment in the B and/or M and with the enrolment process nearing its end the DCE will be in a position to create the classes, if necessary.

The enrolment of students who have transited and have their accreditation approved will open next Monday, the 11^th of October.

Acknowledgements

The transition process of Integrated Masters students involves more than 5000 students and is being carried out by a large number of lecturers and technical staff from FEUP and technical staff from the Rectory of U.Porto. It is a complex process, based on a new computer system, with limitations, and in daily evolution, which it was necessary to learn how to use. I know that everyone involved has been very dedicated, working hard, and overcoming the problems that have arisen so that the process may end soon, and all students may enrol.

In particular to the students affected by this delay, I offer my institutional apologies. I am sure that we will overcome this setback and working together as the FEUP Community we will overcome the difficulties to start the new semester very well.

I wish you all very good results during this year 2021/22 and I hope it will be in general much better than last year.

João Falcão e Cunha

Dean

Dear Members of the FEUP Community,

The next academic year will see the start of the new study cycles resulting from the adaptation of the integrated masters. From September we will be welcoming many new students. I estimate that more than 1,000 new students will be placed at FEUP through the National Access Competition (CNA) of DGES, and about 1,000 new students in the remaining access regimes to all our study cycles of FEUP and in mobility.

Considering that the process of transition of Integrated Master students to the new Bachelor and Master degrees will be complex, involving the transition of about 6,000 students, FEUP expects to start classes for all study cycles in the next academic year on 4 October 2021.

To allow the timely transition of these students, it is essential that all grades of the exams that will take place until 10^th of July must be posted by the 16^th of July.

Considering also the adaptation of the integrated masters, and the difficulties of the current academic year that will soon finish, the final exam season to be held from 1^st to 15^th September may be used by students who are in conditions to conclude their first degree in Engineering Sciences or the Master degree. To do so they will have the need to pass a maximum of two course units that they have had frequency or 21 ECTS (whichever is more favourable).

To allow a timely transition of these students it is essential that all the grades of these exams are posted by 22^nd of September.

The examination season for students with special statutes will take place between 16^th and 30^th September. These grades must be posted by 8^th of October.

Considering the lack of guidelines from MCTES and DGS on how to organize the education activities for the next academic year, FEUP has decided to keep the current model for the next 1^st semester. This means that about half of the classes will be on-site, and the other remote (namely the theoretical classes), with on-site evaluations, and keeping the possibility of examinations on Saturdays.

Regarding the meetings or juris for Master dissertations, the recommendation is maintained that they should be held at distance, considering that exams are being held in Building B, and that the central services of FEUP do not have the conditions to ensure the safety of such exams on-site. However, if the Departments have the conditions to allow the organization of on-site meetings in their rooms, complying with all security measures, especially physical distance, the jury meetings may be held in FEUP, in coordination with the Director of the study cycle. It will also be feasible, in this context, that the Master’s juries assume a mixed model, with the remote participation of some members of the jury, or keeping most of the public remotely.

Although the number of reported cases of COVID-19 at FEUP in recent weeks has been very low, it remains essential that we maintain all security precautions, also outside FEUP.

Especially to those who are involved in exams, and to all those who are soon finishing their dissertations and theses, and will soon graduate, I send my best wishes for a very successful work.

Best wishes,

João Falcão e Cunha

Dean

PS: I share “Muamba Banana e Cola” (“Muamba Banana and Cola”) from Duo Ouro Negro.

Dear Members of the FEUP Community,

Between 22^nd and 29^th January, the COVID-19 situation monitoring group at the FEUP recorded 13 new positive cases confirmed by the health authorities (see table and graph with the evolution before this text).

This week the on-site evaluation tests and exams will continue. By Friday, February 5 inclusive, all evaluations should be completed, with the exception for most students in the 1^st year of study cycles.

Second Semester with remote activities starting on 8^th February

The second semester will begin on the 8^th February, with the exception for most students in the 1^st year of study cycles, and all classes will be held in mode distance learning, at least until the Easter holidays.

Closure of the FEUP premises from 6 to 14 February

I would also like to remind the whole Community that due to an intervention in the water supply system all FEUP facilities will be closed between 6 and 14 February, as there is no possibility of using the sanitary facilities.

During this period all activities, including lecturing, research and services, should take place remotely, whenever possible.

Master dissertations and internships

The “Recommendation to scientific and higher education institutions in the context of extraordinary emergency measures” (see here, in Portuguese) states that:

“[…] access to scientific laboratories and infrastructures should be guaranteed for ongoing research work which cannot be postponed, particularly in the context of theses”.

It is therefore considered that Master’s dissertation work should continue, when possible adapted to remote work, and always in accordance with the Study Programme Direction. The on-site experimental activities necessary to achieve the objectives should be maintained.

Dissertation and internship work in progress in institutions outside FEUP – companies, institutes and other organisations – should continue in accordance with the work plan initially foreseen, complying with the regulations in force in those institutions. If changes to the projects are necessary, it is the responsibility of the Study Programme Direction to approve them, after the Supervisor’s proposal.

Examinations in special periods

The extraordinary period for the first semester’s on-site exams, open to all students who for any reason have not been able to take them during the current weeks since January 22^nd, will be announced as soon as possible.

The exams for the “Special period for completion of studies, 1^st call” and the “Period for students with legally applicable status” should be scheduled in accordance with the initial plan and may be postponed if necessary. The conditions defined for these examinations are the same as those used for the normal and supplementary exam periods, particularly with regard to the duration, which remains at 90 minutes per examination.

Publication of grades

The grades for ongoing assessments should be published in accordance with FEUP academic schedule for 2020/21.

Safety recommendations remain in force inside and outside FEUP

The need to respect all safety rules in force, in particular physical distance and the use of masks, and to avoid crowding before and after on-site assessments, remains as important as ever.

Best wishes,

João Falcão e Cunha

Dean

PS: I share with you Joy from Arash Fouladvand and with Niaz Nawab (both from Teheran, living in Paris), by the Orchestre Philarmonique de Paris-Est.

Dear Members of the FEUP Community,

In accordance with the unanimous position of its Pedagogical Council, FEUP, within strict legality, and significantly reinforcing the security measures, will maintain the on-site assessments scheduled for the coming weeks, safeguarding the expectations of its students, but ensuring, without the need for justification, access to an extraordinary assessment period, in dates to be defined, for students who miss the coming examinations.

Considering Art. 3 of Decree no. 3-C/2021, of 22 January, which amends Art. 31-A, no. 1 al. c), which determines the suspension of “on-site lecturing and non- lecturing activities in higher education institutions, without damaging the evaluation periods in progress” (original in Portuguese), and following the message with the conclusions of this morning’s meeting of the Council of Directors of U. Porto (from: covid‑19@reit.up.pt; 2021-01-22; 16:02), the Pedagogical Council of FEUP met extraordinarily, by Zoom, also being present the directors of the 1^st and 2^nd cycles of study.

The meeting of the Pedagogical Council had as its sole agenda point to examine the decision of the Board of Directors of U. Porto regarding its adaptation to the case of the FEUP, i.e. to decide on the conclusion of the on-site assessment examinations scheduled for the coming weeks, from Monday 25 January.

The Pedagogical Council of FEUP considers that the ongoing on-site assessments culminate the Lecturing-Learning work of the first semester, by students and lecturers, with the support of researchers and technical staff. All have worked since the beginning of the academic year with the expectation of carrying out the evaluations with the possibility of access to two periods, normal and appeal, with identical rules defined at the outset.

O Conselho Pedagógico reconhece também que existe uma situação de pandemia com um nível de enorme preocupação na Sociedade em geral e na nossa comunidade em particular, muitas vezes envolvendo familiares mais fragilizados.

The Pedagogic Council also recognises that there is a pandemic situation of enormous concern in society, in general, and in our community, in particular, often involving fragile relatives.

Thus, and after listening to those present at the meeting, the Pedagogic Council of FEUP deliberated:

That the decision of the Board of Directors of U. Porto be accepted in general terms, thus confirming the decision to carry out the on-site evaluations planned for the coming weeks.
That all students who do not take part in the on-site evaluations in the coming weeks are guaranteed access to an extraordinary assessment period, without the need for justification. The period for this extraordinary assessment period will be defined as soon as possible by the Pedagogic Council, safeguarding the need for it to take place before the start of the next academic year.

That the security measures at FEUP for the assessment be strengthened, in particular: (i) reducing the number of students in the examination rooms by increasing the number of rooms for each examination; (ii) reinforcing the number of security guards patrolling the corridors, in order to avoid overcrowding before and after examinations; (iii) improving the hygiene of the rooms between examinations; (iv) reinforcing the need to follow the rules defined for the management of examinations, by the lecturers; and (v) reinforcing the need to maintain physical distance, before and after examinations, by all involved, namely students.

The Pedagogic Council also considers that the planed date for the beginning of the second semester should be maintained, assuming that the current situation of confinement will continue beyond the next two weeks. The whole 2^nd semester Lecturing-Learning process should be re-engineered to distance mode.

A Direção da FEUP irá implementar as deliberações acima enunciadas pelo Conselho Pedagógico, salvaguardando as expectativas dos seus estudantes. Será garantido, sem necessidade de justificação, o acesso à época extraordinária de avaliação, em período a definir, aos estudantes que faltem às provas das próximas semanas. Além disso serão reforçadas as medidas de segurança na FEUP.

The Board of the FEUP will implement the deliberations of the Pedagogical Council listed above, safeguarding the expectations of its students. It will be guaranteed, without the need for justification, access to the extraordinary assessment period, in dates to be defined, to students who miss the examinations in the next few weeks. In addition, security measures at FEUP will be reinforced.

I wish you a good weekend,

João Falcão e Cunha

Dean

Dear Members of the FEUP Community,

The Office of the Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education published today, 21^st January, a new “Recommendation to scientific and higher education institutions in the context of extraordinary emergency measures” (see here, in Portuguese) where it is stated:

“[…] it is recommended that scientific and higher education institutions, within the framework of their management, pedagogical and scientific autonomy:

[…]

Adapt the risk mitigation procedures for COVID-19 in the situations where on-site assessment activities are considered essential and there is no possibility of their postponement;

[…]

It is further recommended that:

the libraries, canteens and residences remain operational, reinforcing security measures and ensuring meal delivery services;

[…]

access to scientific laboratories and infrastructures should be guaranteed for ongoing research work which cannot be postponed, particularly in the context of theses;
the work of juries within the careers of teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as the presentation and evaluation of dissertations and academic theses, can and should operate by means of videoconferencing […]”

After consulting the Rectory of U.Porto and AEFEUP, the Board of FEUP considers essential to carry out the on-site evaluation activities scheduled for tomorrow and Saturday to finish the normal examination period. It is considered that, for such examinations, the students and lecturers of FEUP will have already done all their preparation, and that their cancellation would cause inequality of opportunities and treatment, especially for the students affected by the interruption.

To mitigate the risk of contagion by COVID-19, more rooms and more vigilants will be made available, wherever possible.

Students who do not feel able to take the exams this Friday or Saturday, or who are prevented from coming to FEUP, will continue to have access to two future seasons of these exams.

The Library will remain open tomorrow, January 22^nd, according to the rules already in force.

The laboratories and research units must keep the investigation work in progress, which is unavoidable, namely within the scope of Master’s dissertations and PhD theses.

All planned juries should be carried out using videoconferencing facilities.

The decisions concerning the operation of FEUP from Monday, namely the possible anticipation and/or rescheduling of the start of lecturing activities in the 2^nd semester, and the rescheduling and possible postponement of assessments of the appeal season, are being concerted in the U.Porto context, and will soon be announced.

Best wishes,

João Falcão e Cunha

Dean

Dear Members of the FEUP Community,

Between 1^st and 8^th January the monitoring group on the COVID-19 situation at FEUP recorded further 18 positive cases confirmed by the health authorities. There has been an increase in reported cases in recent days.

According to publicly available information, onsite activity at FEUP will continue, even during the next period of confinement which will have more stringent measures that will be announced soon by the government.

Therefore, I reiterate the message that the compliance by the entire FEUP Community of all recommended measures and in all situations, especially the use of masks, will greatly contribute to maintaining the academic activity in our Campus, so that the on-site examinations may take place according to what is planned.

Even though the recent clarification of the Ministry of Health (DGES) about ventilation and airing of spaces in schools, due to the present weather situation, see here (in Portuguese), FEUP will not be closing windows and doors during on-site examinations. However, if lecturers in a room have the agreement of everyone present, they can close the windows at the beginning of the examination. They must also ensure that all windows are reopened at the end of the examination, so that after the following break the room is ventilated.

Regarding the use of study space in FEUP, the Library is indicated as it has the proper conditions for safety management appropriate to the present conditions. Study rooms, with such a function before the pandemic, do not offer adequate safety management conditions: some have no possibility of ventilation and others have a very small capacity that makes their good management impossible. All the appropriate classrooms are being used for classes, and now for on-site examinations. It is therefore appealed that the use of the Library to study should be for those who are not able to do so in their residence, and it is not at all acceptable to keep the Library tables occupied without use.

Staying at FEUP should therefore be limited to the essential, namely for classes and on-site examinations, laboratory research, and support and maintenance tasks.

I would like to wish you the continuation of a very good year, in good health. And I reiterate my vows of very successful exams, both for students and lecturers!

Best wishes,

João Falcão e Cunha

Dean

PS: I share with you Bello Amore from Ornella Vanoni (1934). For the first time in the history of the San Remo Festival, Ornella Vanoni received the “Lifetime Achievement Award”.

Dear Members of the FEUP Community,

The COVID-19 monitoring group at FEUP recorded 72 positive cases of COVID-19 confirmed by the health authorities. This information refers to the period from the beginning of the school year until 5.30 p.m. last Friday, in the context of our 10,000 people Community: students, lecturers, researchers, technical staff and other collaborators.

I reiterate the importance of all suspected or confirmed cases being reported in accordance with the procedure defined in the message I sent on 2020-10-05 (available at https://fe.up.pt/covid19/en/), which is summarised below.

School and work eviction is recommended for all those with symptoms indicative of infectious disease, in particular COVID‑19, even if slight.

If the symptoms are detected in FEUP, the person concerned should:

Contact tel.: 912 233 377 or feup@fe.up.pt to keep FEUP informed about the situation.
Head for the isolation room A044, under the Grand Auditorium, Building A, in the same level of the main entrance of FEUP.
Contact SNS 24 – tel.: 808 24 24 24 – and follow the indications provided.

If the symptoms are detected outside FEUP, or if you have been in close contact for more than 15 minutes with someone with confirmed infection, contact immediately SNS 24 – tel.: 808 24 24 24 – and follow the indications provided.

In order to minimise the risk of contagion in FEUP facilities, and to facilitate contact tracing by Health Authorities, someone with a positive COVID-19 test is requested to immediately inform:

Student: Director of Study Cycle or coordinator of the mobility programme.
Lecturer or researcher: Director of Department.
Technical staff or other employee: Director of Service.
Director: Board of FEUP.

FEUP is in daily contact with the Task Force, and so there is no need to communicate with covid-19@reit.up.pt.

I would like to stress that “[all] cases of infection by SARS-CoV-2 detected in the academic community of the U.Porto are subject to an epidemiological survey carried out by the Public Health Authorities, which are in permanent articulation with U.Porto. It is based on the information transmitted by these authorities that it can be said that, to date, there is no evidence of any outbreak originating in the U.Porto premises” [Task Force COVID-19 U.Porto, 2020-10-16].

Realço ainda que «[todos] os casos de infeção por SARS-CoV-2 detetados na comunidade académica da U.Porto são sujeitos a um inquérito epidemiológico realizado pelas Autoridades de Saúde Pública, as quais estão em articulação permanente com a Universidade do Porto. É com base na informação transmitida por essas autoridades que se pode afirmar que, até à data, não existe evidência de que tenha havido qualquer surto com origem nas instalações da U.Porto».

The adherence to all the recommended measures by the entire FEUP Community, in all situations, will greatly contribute to maintain the on-site academic activity in our Campus, even in the occurrence of isolated cases of infection.

I reiterate my vows of an excellent semester, especially to the new students at FEUP.

Best wishes,

João Falcão e Cunha

Dean

PS: I share with you Romaria – Elis Regina (lyrics, in Portuguese) from an extraordinary singer!

Dear Members of the FEUP Community,

FEUP has in operation a COVID-19 monitoring group which is in permanent contact with the public health authorities and the Task Force of the U.Porto, and has been implementing the measures proposed by these entities.

Our Community involves about 10,000 people, including students, lecturers, researchers, technical staff, and other collaborators. Since the beginning of the academic year there have been about 40 confirmed positive cases of OVID-19, which have been reported.

According to the information available to us from the public health authority, the context of the contagions observed in FEUP is not related to the academic activities, but rather to meetings and gatherings that have taken place in recent days and weeks, outside the Campus. In fact, to date, no case of contagion has been identified on the premises of FEUP or of the University of Porto.

It therefore continues to be essential that everyone complies with the norms and recommendations of protection against COVID-19, not only in FEUP but also outside the academic and work context, where the risk of contagion is higher, if not all the recommended measures are always adopted.

Some of the key measures to reduce the risk of contagion:

Keep physical distance in all contacts.
Wear a mask on the FEUP Campus, inside and outside the buildings.
Outside of the FEUP Campus, wear a mask whenever appropriate physical distance is not possible.
Wash or sanitise your hands frequently, before and after classes, meetings and other social contacts.
Sanitise equipment, especially keyboards and mice, before use.
Do not share personal belongings, in particular mobile phones and personal computers.
Avoid unnecessary crowds and social contacts.

In case of symptoms, even mild, or in case of close and unprotected contact with a person infected with COVID-19, don’t go to the study or work place, and contact SNS 24 – tel. 808 24 24 24 to find out what you should do.

Following all the recommended measures by each one of us, in all situations, will greatly contribute to maintain the academic activity in our Campus, even in the occurrence of isolated cases of infection.

More information at https://fe.up.pt/covid19/en/. In FEUP you may report any situation to tel. 912 233 377 or to direcao.feup@fe.up.pt.

I reiterate my best votes for an excellent semester, especially to the new students in FEUP.

Best regards,

João Falcão e Cunha

Dean

FEUP: https://fe.up.pt/covid19/en/

U.Porto: https://up.pt/covid-19/ (in Portuguese)

DGS: https://covid19.min-saude.pt/ (in Portuguese)

Dear Members of the FEUP Community,

Following the position of MCTES and of the Rector of U.Porto, and based on the latest recommendations of the U.Porto’s “Task Force COVID-19” (TFC-19; recommendations here, in Portuguese), FEUP is defining a plan for the resumption of on-site activities, ensuring the highest safety standards and procedures. Three groups (see point 5) have been set up to this end, and are working on this plan.

The following summarises some of the decisions already taken by the Executive Council, after consulting the management and coordination structures of FEUP, in particular the Scientific and Pedagogical Councils.

——————————————-

Semester in progress without further classes

It has been decided that no more face-to-face classes, including laboratory classes, will be resumed. This applies to all study cycles that are managed by FEUP.

This decision is due to several reasons, but in particular to reasons of equality, since a significant number of international students and students from Azores and Madeira have returned home, and it is not possible to anticipate easy airplane connections.

——————————————-

Resumption of face-to-face activities planned from May 11 to 18

The following face-to-face activities will be progressively resumed, keeping the work at a distance, with rotation, when possible:

Laboratory activities that cannot be carried out at a distance in the scope of research projects, internships, and services, with priority for the conclusion of master’s degree dissertations and doctoral theses; provided that the directors of the departments and research units involved allow it, and when they are able to do so.
On-site evaluation tests (see point 3).
Required face-to-face service at central and departmental offices, including library and CICA/Helpdesk UPDigital.
All other activities that cannot be carried out at a distance.
All activities necessary to ensure that activities 1 to 4 can be performed on-site.

Activities 1 and 2 will only be resumed after the new equipment and materials are available at FEUP (they have already been ordered by FEUP in the scope of the U.Porto acquisition tender), as well as the public health safety procedures recommended by TFC-19 that are being adapted to FEUP.

As the safety conditions are deemed to exist, communications will be made with dates and more details.

——————————————-

Face-to-face evaluation tests

The distance learning classes of the 2nd semester will end as scheduled on May 29th and the face-to-face evaluation period (exams) will take place between June 15th and July 24th.

Between May 30th and June 14th, there should only be distributed distance learning assessments (submission or discussion of papers, for example, and no distance learning exams in Moodle or other platforms).

The face-to-face examinations for students with special statutes and for course completion – which should have already taken place, and which could not be taken at a distance – will be held between 18 May and 9 June. It is still possible to take these exams at a distance, if it is feasible.

Students who have difficulties in returning to the FEUP before 15 June, will be given access to the September face-to-face evaluation sessions. This access will also be allowed to students from risk groups or in other formally justified situations.

The conditions and procedures of access to these evaluations will be defined in due course.

In the case of the first year of doctoral programs, the “Thesis Project” and other curricular units with evaluation by presentation of papers, may be evaluated later, as long as at distance.

In the case of IN mobility students who have already returned home, the possibility of our examinations being done in their home institutions, with local supervision, will be studied, but the decision is up to the mobility coordinators of each cycle of studies.

——————————————-

Master’s Dissertations

The normal schedule and process of preparation, submission and evaluation remains in force, as does the recommendation that the respective juries take place by the end of July.

Should it not be at all possible to meet this deadline, the postponement of the submission of Master’s dissertations and their evaluation in September-October 2020 is subject to the following schedule:

June 5:………….. Submission to the study cycle Director of a request for extension justified by the student and advisor.

12 June:………… Submission by the study cycle Director to the academic services of the application lists, with his/her agreement and favourable opinion from his/her head of department.

September 21:.. Submission of the final version to be presented to the jury, before public presentation.

16 October:…… Deadline for public presentations.

30 October:…… Submission of the final version of the dissertation.

The recommended procedure to facilitate the realization of the distance juries is being prepared.

——————————————-

Working Groups

To prepare the plan for the resumption of our activities, the Executive Council of FEUP has constituted the following groups that are preparing more complete directivs:

Group 1 – Security facilities and procedures

Prof. Carlos Rodrigues, Prof.ª Ana Sofia Guimarăes, Eng. António Vasconcelos, Eng.ª Paula Rego, José Araújo (MIEQ – Vice-President of AEFEUP).

Group 2 – Laboratory activities and face-to-face assessments

Prof. António Ferreira, Prof. Augusto de Sousa, Prof. Francisco Vasques, Prof.ª Ana Camanho, Prof. Manuel Simơes, Prof. Luís Filipe Malheiros, Eng.ª Susana Gaio, Manuel Trindade (MIEC – President of AEFEUP), Hélder Nunes (PDEQB) and Inês Gomes da Silva (MIEMM).

Group 3 – Service management and face-to-face service

Prof.ª Ana Maria Mendonça, Prof.ª Carla Teixeira Lopes and José Araújo (MIEQ – Vice-President of AEFEUP).

Based on the work of these groups, which will also be subject to prior consultation with the management and coordination structures of FEUP, specific plans for the resumption of on-site activities, to be prepared by each department, study cycle, service and other units, should be finalized.

——————————————-

All the measures adopted by FEUP during the present crisis may be reviewed on the basis of new guidelines that may be received.

The call to continue to comply with all the measures determined by the authorities to protect yourselves, and to protect others, remains.

I reiterate my thanks for the exemplary way in which everyone has worked in the crisis situation in which we find ourselves, and which will certainly continue to require everyone to adapt to new challenges, and the courage to persist.

I am sure that we have the right infrastructure, the necessary experience, and a common culture that will enable us to overcome the problems. The knowledge we are acquiring can be very useful in the future, and may contribute to a better FEUP and, if we know how to apply it, to help us build a better and happier society too.

My wish that you may have a pleasant weekend, despite the lack of freedom, and both secure and safe!

Joăo Falcăo e Cunha

Dean

“We must plan for freedom, and not only for security, if for no other reason than only freedom can make security more secure.”

Karl R. Popper (1902-1994), The Open Society and Its Enemies

Dear Members of the FEUP Community,

I hope that the Easter period has allowed you to have interesting activities, happy moments, and peace of mind.

As there is no significant update on the previous week, I would like to take this opportunity to present some clarifications.

Recording of classes by professors or students

Following some questions raised about the recording of classes on distance education platforms, and following an advice from the U.Porto Data Protection Officer, FEUP has the following position:

Considering that in practically all Study Cycles there are students who do not have permanent access to the Internet under adequate conditions, the recording of classes should be carried out whenever possible to guarantee the right to equal opportunities for University students to succeed. Should any student consider that they do not wish their interventions to be recorded, they should keep their microphone and/or video camera switched off, and try to interact with the professors asynchronously. Should any professor feel that they are unable to provide recordings of their classes, they should validate with the Director of the Cycle of Studies the alternative way to interact with students who cannot follow the class synchronously.

Only each professor may record their own class and no other person is allowed by the RGPD to do so without their prior authorization.

Recordings of classes in which there are registrations of student participation must be stored on FEUP or U.Porto platforms (for example: Sigarra or Moodle, so that they are only accessible to students registered in the UC) and cannot be used in other contexts. Maintaining recordings on other platforms, presupposes that all student interventions are deleted (which understandably may be complicated). When this is not feasible, the recording should be erased.

Information on initiatives with FEUP involvement

I will mention below some initiatives in which FEUP members and their research units are involved, with the participation of other institutions:

a) Diaries of a pandemic(in Portuguese only) – Study of the evolution of COVID-19 by the citizens. New results: here. Key indicators from answers: here.

b) Development of a decision support system for COVID-19 bed management in healthcare facilities.

c) Helping international students to endure social isolation.

Final Notes

All these measures may be revised based on new guidelines that FEUP may receive.

I keep the appeal to keep complying with all measures determined by the health authorities to protect yourself, and to protect others.

Wishing you very good activities this week, still in your accommodation!

João Falcão e Cunha

Dean

«All written work is the expression of limited knowledge. But all limited knowledge is open to new particularities, until the sudden desire not to go further is presented.»

Agustina Bessa-Luís (1922-2019) – reference: to be confirmed.

Dear Members of the FEUP Community,

In response to the exceptional, and emergency situation in which we live, FEUP has now transitioned to remote running of its activities.

In this situation, U.Porto and FEUP maintain that the academic year should be completed before the end of July.

At the meeting of CCMEUP last March 31, the recommendation is to “reinforce, whenever possible, the distributed evaluation, to allow closer monitoring of the distance learning process”. This measure aims to avoid students being evaluated by only one final exam. Thus, and if it is possible to carry out adequate distance evaluation, the curricular units should now proceed with the evaluations that may contribute to the final semester classification of the students.

FEUP is particularly concerned about those students who do not currently have the best conditions to continue working at a distance, and is trying to identify all cases. If you are aware of any of these situations you should inform the Director of the Cycle of Studies or the AEFEUP Board. You may also indicate the contact of such students here.

FEUP will do everything, within the legality and capacity available, to support all members of its community to overcome this crisis, maintaining a policy of equal treatment for all, regardless of nationality.

FEUP is thus contributing to U.Porto’s “emergency grant” for students (national and international) affected by the pandemic: see here (in Portuguese only).

For international, mobility or degree students, everything will be done to ensure lecturing and assessment modalities that take into account the existing conditions and limitations. In the ongoing distance education processes the possible time difference with the places of residence should be considered, namely through the provision of recordings of teaching materials.

I will mention now some initiatives in which FEUP people and its research units are involved, with the participation also of other institutions.

a) Development of an X-ray analysis system to identify compliance with VOCID-19 lung infection.

b) PNEUMA – Prototype of “campaign ventilator for pandemics” or “pandemic ventilator “.

c) Diaries of a pandemic(in Portuguese only) – Study of the evolution of VOCID-19 by the citizens. First results: here.

d) Helping international students to endure social isolation.

“FEUP World” (in Portuguese only) this afternoon will give more information about some of these initiatives.

The following is the updated information on measures adopted:

Evaluations: reports of works, mini-tests, examinations, final examinations and other examinations
In and Out mobility situations, and students away from home (Portuguese or international)
Final Notes

On all other matters, the information already sent on 2020-03-29 is maintained:

Non in-situ classes for all Study Programmes
Dissertations and master’s degrees
Doctoral juries and Habilitations
Recruitment processes, including hiring of technicians, professors and researchers, as well as progression of professors
Public attendance at central services, course secretariats and departments
Functioning of laboratories and research activities
Travelling of professors, researchers and technical staff
Closure of facilities

Evaluations: reports of works, mini-tests, examinations, final examinations and other examinations

Following the above recommendations of CCMEUP, the distributed evaluation component should be reinforced. Evaluation of this type may be initiated/retaken in each UC in order to avoid, whenever possible, the evaluation by a single final examination. It is therefore encouraged individual or group work, and examinations using reliable platforms.

Oral exams can also be taken at a distance, for example to finish the Cycle of Study, if the necessary technical and administrative conditions are met, and if those involved – student, professors, and the director of the Cycle of Study – accept such possibility in advance. All oral examinations must also be taken by a jury of at least two professors.

It is expected that soon there will be more recommendations from the U.Porto on the carrying out of distance examinations.

It is recalled that the Easter holidays are to be maintained, considering what was mentioned in last week’s message. However, on Monday 13th April, “day off” tolerance was given by the Government, so it is up to the professors to lecture.

In and Out mobility situations, and students away from home (Portuguese or international)

The information from the previous week is maintained, and it is stressed that Portuguese or international students away from home, in case they need support from FEUP, should contact the Director of their SC, the Cooperation Unit coop@fe.up.pt or the Orientation and Integration Office goi@fe.up.pt.

Final Notes

All these measures may be revised based on new guidelines that FEUP may receive.

This message was previously validated by FEUP Crisis Group.

I also appeal to you to keep complying with all measures determined by the health authorities to protect yourself, and to protect others.

Wishing you very good activities, particularly in your accommodation, and of a very happy and healthy Easter!

João Falcão e Cunha

Dean

«Because I was making an incorrect mathematical calculation about love: I thought that, in adding up everything I understand, I loved. I didn’t know that adding up everything you don’t understand is the way to truly love. Because I, just from having felt affection, thought that loving is easy.»

Clarice Lispector (1920-77): «Complete Stories», Penguim Modern Classics, 2015

Dear Members of the FEUP Community,

Considering the recent forecasts by the health authorities it is very likely that it will not be possible to resume the face-to-face classes, in particular the laboratory classes, before the end of this semester.

U.Porto and FEUP consider that even if this exceptional situation occurs, an attempt should be made to finish the academic year by the end of July, with summative evaluations eventually carried out at a distance (in a manner to be defined). This will allow final grades to be awarded to students.

It is expected that this semester the education objectives will be adapted to this reality in order to ensure that students are not harmed, particularly those who anticipated finishing their studies, and obtaining their degree by the end of this academic year. In this way, the beginning of next academic year 2020/21 in September will not be compromised either.

FEUP is particularly concerned about students who do not currently have the best conditions to continue working at a distance, and is trying to identify all cases. If you are aware of any of these situations you should inform the Director of the respective Cycle of Studies or the AEFEUP Board.

FEUP will do everything, within the legality and capacity available, to support all members of its community to overcome this crisis, maintaining a policy of equal treatment for all, regardless of nationality.

FEUP is sensitive to the concern expressed by some students with the possible failure to pay tuition fees. Although it has no legal or administrative competence to suspend or alter tuition fees, FEUP will work together with U.Porto and MCTES to find the most appropriate solutions in order to allow the continuation of studies and the educational success of students.

I will mention now some initiatives in which FEUP community and its research units are involved, with the participation also of other institutions.

a) Development of face screens for the protection of health professionals: 3D printing of frames; collection of transparent and rigid acetates to be used for screens; for use in central hospitals and health centres.
b) 3D printing of frames for protection goggles.
c) Diaries of a pandemic (in Portuguese only) – Study of the evolution of VOCID-19 by the citizens.
d) Prototype of a new efficient ventilator.
e) Prototype of a new efficient oxygen concentrator.
f) Helping international students to endure social isolation.

The newsletter “FEUP World” (in Portuguese only) this Monday will provide more information about some of these initiatives.

The following is the updated information on measures being adopted:

Non in-situ classes for all Study Programmes
Dissertations and master’s degrees
Recruitment processes, including hiring of technicians, professors and researchers, as well as progression of professors
In and Out mobility situations, and students away from home (Portuguese or international)
Final Notes

On all other matters, the information already sent on 2020-03-22 is maintained:

Evaluations: reports of works, mini-tests, examinations, final examinations and other examinations
Doctoral juries and Habilitations
Public attendance at central services, course secretariats and departments
Functioning of laboratories and research activities
Travelling of professors, researchers and technical staff
Closure of facilities
Non in-situ classes for all Study Programmes

It is in progress the analysis of all reports of distance education activity in all Study Cycles of FEUP.

A preliminary analysis points to very few curricular units that are not in activity (excluding laboratories) and very few students without access to the Internet to follow classes and work.

The academic calendar remains in force, with the following exceptions:

– Easter holidays are to be maintained, but can be used to do individual or group work, to prepare the activities of the following weeks, or to revisit topics that students and professors consider relevant. No new subjects should be introduced. Monday 13 April, usually reserved for visiting family members after Easter Sunday, may be used for education activities, considering the prohibition of travelling outside home or the area of residence.

– Considering that FAP has cancelled the activities of “Queima das Fitas” week, U.Porto and FEUP consider that there is no justification to suspend the education activities, thus the week is active for education.

Dissertations and master’s degrees

The information in last week’s message is stressed: master dissertation projects must be adapted to remote work. The change of objectives and methods must be negotiated, or, if necessary, a new theme must be agreed upon among all parties involved: student, advisor at FEUP, SC Director, and external organization, if applicable. In case the external organisation is unable to maintain support for the project, a new theme may be agreed upon.

The main objective is not to harm the students so that the final jury can take place before the end of July 2020, allowing for job prospects to be achieved afterwards.

Exceptional situations must be validated by the Vice-President of the Pedagogical Council or by the Board of FEUP.

Recruitment processes, including hiring of technicians, professors and researchers, as well as progression of professors

New recruitment processes may be proposed again, if conditions are available.

In and Out mobility situations, and students away from home (Portuguese or international)

The information from the previous week is maintained, and it is stressed that Portuguese or international students away from home, in case they need support from FEUP, should contact the Director of their SC, the Cooperation Unit coop@fe.up.pt or the Orientation and Integration Office goi@fe.up.pt.

Final Notes

All these measures may be revised based on new guidelines that FEUP may receive.

I also appeal to you to keep complying with all measures determined by the health authorities to protect yourself, and to protect others.

Be mostly at home, and keeping active, with my best wishes,

João Falcão e Cunha

Dean

«The times go changing. Fashions change. The ways

Of being change. Old credences grow strange.

The world is all made up of whirls of change

Invariably varying its face.»

Sonnet of Change by Luís de Camões, original: «Obras Completas de Luis de Camões», 1843, v. II.

(Translated by A.Z. Foreman)

Dear Members of the FEUP Community,

The Board of FEUP is very concerned about the current public health situation and hereby appeals to everyone’s social responsibility following the directives of U.Porto, the National Health Authority, and of the Government.

The Board of FEUP also expects that all students, professors, researchers, and technical staff maintain a high level of quality in their professional and academic activities.

Thus, and following the suspension of the in-situ classes decreed by U.Porto, FEUP will proceed to implement the following measures to maintain its activity and mission:

Non in-situ classes for all Study Programmes

The programme directors should articulate with the teaching teams of courses a plan for maintaining distance education activities, including the possibility of formative evaluation. It is expected that by March 23rd it will be possible that courses are able to be in operation according to these indications. It will be the responsibility of the programmes directors, and of the scientific and monitoring committees, to report to the FEUP Board, on dates to be defined, on the state of such plans.

The academic calendar for the second semester may be adjusted according to the evolution of the situation, and it is not possible, at this time, to foresee the date for the end of the semester.

Evaluations: reports of works, mini-tests, examinations, final examinations and other examinations

The evaluation of students in each course shall be carried out when feasible. All previously scheduled in-situ evaluation tests are suspended, except those that may be performed in distance education.

Dissertations and master’s degrees

All dissertations can continue if they are or can be adapted for remote work. This may involve changing the objectives and methods of the projects, or even adopting new themes, as long as approved by the study programme director.

Dissertations and internships in progress at institutions outside U.Porto may continue as initially planned, if permitted by those institutions.

Doctoral juries

All doctoral juries are suspended unless videoconference is possible. This exception requires technical conditions and special authorization from the FEUP Board.

Recruitment processes, including hiring of technicians, professors and researchers, as well as progression of professors

All recruitment processes are suspended.

Public attendance at central services, course secretariats and departments

All central services and secretariat services should now ensure distance attendance during the usual timetable. Whenever and wherever justified, the possibility of personal attendance must be ensured, by previous appointment.

In and Out mobility situations

Students currently in mobility OUT who wish to and are able to return immediately will not be affected from an academic point of view, being treated in the same way as the remaining students of FEUP.

Students in mobility IN should contact their home university and their national health services to take the decision of whether or not to continue the mobility. If they choose to continue the mobility, they will be subject to the teaching and assessment conditions in the calendar for the students of FEUP.

Functioning of laboratories and research activities

All laboratory activities should be stopped as soon as possible. All researchers, PhD students, and grantees should adapt their activities to remote work. All situations in which it is not possible to finish the laboratory activities by March 23rd should be reported to the FEUP Board.

Research work in progress at institutions outside U.Porto may continue as initially planned, if permitted by those institutions.

Travelling of professors, researchers and technical staff

All travelling is suspended, except in cases of absolute necessity, requiring prior authorization from the FEUP Board.

Closure of facilities

It is reminded that study rooms in building B and in the department buildings are closed to students, as well as the Library.

Final Notes

All these measures may be revised based on new guidelines that FEUP may receive.

The FEUP Board wishes very good work to everyone.

Cumprimentos | Best wishes,

João Falcão e Cunha

Diretor da FEUP

Dear Members of the FEUP Community,

The activity of FEUP in general, and the on-site assessment tests in particular, has been going on as planned, and is therefore to congratulate the effort of students, lecturers, and technical staff of FEUP to ensure the safety of all.

Keeping the distances and using a mask – VERY IMPORTANT

It is understandable that the end of the state of emergency and the return to FEUP, for the exams in particular, has allowed the re-establishment of social relations with physical proximity. However, some situations that are occurring in the FEUP Campus, inside and outside the buildings, with groups of people talking to each other without the minimum appropriate distance, and without the use of a mask or other protection, are not acceptable.

In order to guarantee the continuity of all on-site activities in safety, it is essential to respect the defined standards, in particular the minimum adequate distance (in all situations) and the use of a mask (inside the buildings, and in the vicinity with other people, even outside the buildings).

Catering activities

It is reminded that FEUP only authorizes catering activities in places that comply with all the established directives. Therefore, the use of common rooms in FEUP buildings is still not allowed for eating, as well as the use of common spaces equipped with microwaves, since it is not possible to ensure adequate hygiene and ventilation conditions to guarantee the safety of users.

Start of classes in the 1st semester 2020-21

There is still no certainty how the next academic year will begin, since it is not possible to predict with confidence what the public health situation will be from September onwards in Porto and in the places of origin of the FEUP students, in Portugal or abroad.

FEUP is working to ensure that classes for the next academic year will start on September 21st, with as many on-site classes as possible, guaranteeing all the directives and recommendations that may be in force from DGS, MCTES and U.Porto. As is publicly known, the first semester of the first year of undergraduate and integrated master’s programmes will begin on October 6th. The first year of these programmes will also have priority for on-site lecturing.

In order to allow flexibility, and in case of need, class schedules are being prepared so that all classes planned for lecture theatres can be held at a distance.

For the first semester of the first year of a number of master (non-integrated) and doctoral programmes, it is expected that it will be possible to start activities with distance learning, also from September 21, evolving afterwards to on-site lecturing.

————–

We ask everyone to keep complying with all the measures determined by the authorities to protect themselves, and to protect others, at FEUP, and everywhere.

Votes of a pleasant week, being safe!

João Falcão e Cunha

Dean

Dear Members of the FEUP Community,

I wish you all a healthy and fulfilling new academic year with many personal and professional successes, and I would also like to institutionally thank all of you for your dedication to the continued affirmation of FEUP.

Our activities in education, research, and innovation are of extreme relevance for the society. This quality is well recognised and we keep attracting the best projects and students. All of this contributes to FEUP increasingly being a reference in the national and international scene.

I would like to stress that we live at FEUP in a multicultural context where tolerance and respect for the individual dignity of each one of us, and the respect for our environment are crucial in the culture we advocate for society. The FEUP Community cannot and should not allow in their midst any action by anyone that is contrary to these principles, within and outside our Campus.

Considering the pandemic situation in which we live, the Executive Council of FEUP has approved the following documents which will enter into force on the 21st:

The following is a summary of the operating plan and the measures adopted.

1st Semester Classes Operation Plan

The context of our college activities is very different from that of pre-university schools:

Research activity is very significant, and there are several structures supporting education, research and innovation.
Group classes have a very variable number of students.
There are no stable groups of students per class, nor the possibility of keeping the classrooms fixed for each class.

The lecturing activities will thus take place in a mixed environment, with distance education (type A) and on-site education (type B) modes, already considered in the preparation of the timetables:

Type A classes (in general, the theoretical ones) will be fully at distance and should be in synchronous mode from the FEUP.
Type B classes (in general, the practical ones), will be on-site at FEUP. Classes may take place with the whole group of students, if the assigned classroom allows adequate distance between students, or they may have to be separated in two groups that will have classes in alternate weeks.

A realização de provas de avaliação presenciais de segunda a sexta-feira poderá ser exclusivamente feita nas salas e horários onde decorrem as aulas de tipo B. Para além desses horários, nos sábados entre 24 de outubro e 19 de dezembro, haverá a possibilidade de serem realizadas provas de avaliação presenciais. Será dada prioridade a provas de avaliação do 1º ano.

The on-site evaluation tests from Monday to Friday may be held exclusively in the timetables and classrooms where type B classes are held. In addition, Saturdays between October 24 and December 19, will be available for on-site evaluation tests. Priority will be given to 1st year assessments.

Measures and Procedures from 21 September onwards

The use of a mask on the entire FEUP campus, inside and outside the buildings will be mandatory.

On-site attendance, in the services and by the lecturers, may be refused if the mask is not being used. Classes should be interrupted if any student removes the mask.

It is recommended the total exclusion of school and work of any FEUP community members with symptomatology indicative of VOCID-19, even if slight, or symptomatology indicative of illness. In such case such person should contact SNS 24, tel. 808 24 24 24, and then follow the indications given. In case of having to stay at home, one should immediately inform the director of the cycle of studies, department, service or unit to which one is associated, transmitting the recommendations given by SNS 24.

Access to the buildings is only allowed on working days between 7:30 and 22:30 and on Saturdays between 7:30 and 20:30.

The Library will only be open to members of the FEUP community and in the period between 9:00 and 18:00 of working days, and all users must observe the procedures approved by this service (SDI).

Final Note

I would also like to recommend the use of the STAYAWAY COVID application. The development of this application was led by a FEUP professor, within INESC TEC, in collaboration with other institutions.

We must continue to comply with all measures determined by the health authorities to protect ourselves and the others.

I wish and hope that all the various activities, in FEUP and outside, will be carefully managed so we keep being an intellectual and moral reference. I am also certain that the new students soon arriving at FEUP will be very well received and integrated in our very demanding culture!

Best wishes,

João Falcão e Cunha

Dean

www.worldometers.info

www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?utm_name=iossm

Dear Members of the FEUP Community,

This message summarizes what we should be doing when a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 arises in a student, lecturer, technical staff, researcher or other collaborator.

We recommend reading the following page, where all the detailed information is:

https://fe.up.pt/covid19/en/

As mentioned in previous messages, school and work eviction is recommended for all those with symptoms indicative of infectious disease, in particular COVID‑19, even if slight.

If the symptoms are detected in FEUP, the person concerned should:

Contact tel.: 912 233 377 or feup@fe.up.pt to keep FEUP informed about the situation.
Head for the isolation room A044, under the Grand Auditorium, Building A, in the same level of the main entrance of FEUP.
Contact SNS 24 – tel.: 808 24 24 24 – and follow the indications provided.

If the symptoms are detected outside FEUP, the person concerned must:

Contact SNS 24 – tel.: 808 24 24 24 – and follow the indications provided.

If you have been in close contact for more than 15 minutes with someone with confirmed infection:

Contact SNS 24 – tel.: 808 24 24 24 – and follow the indications provided.

In order to minimise the risk of contagion in the FEUP facilities and to facilitate contact tracing by Health Authorities, persons with a positive COVID-19 test are requested to immediately inform:

Students: Director of Study Cycle or coordinator of the mobility programme.
Lecturers and researchers: Director of Department.
Technical staff and other employees: Director of Service.
Directors: Board of FEUP.

The identification of persons with a positive COVID-19 test will be kept confidential. To facilitate reporting to the Health Authority, each Director receiving information on a positive case should always send it to the Board of the FEUP, accompanied by the relevant details, in particular the following, from 3 days prior to the positive test or the onset of symptoms:

Students: On-site classes in which they participated, other relevant activities, and lists of students and lecturers present (names and email).
Lecturers: On-site classes and lists of students present (names and email); on-site meetings and other relevant activities; lists of people present (names and email).
Researchers: Rooms used, on-site meetings attended and other relevant activities; lists of people present (names and email).
Technical staff and other employees: Rooms used, meetings attended and other relevant activities; lists of people present (names and email).

In the case of a positive COVID-19 test or a recommendation for prophylactic isolation, the Health Authority should issue a certificate to justify absences from FEUP. The certificate should be sent to the respective Director.

Information about a person with a positive COVID-19 test or in prophylactic isolation is strictly confidential. Only the Health Authority can give notice of specific cases. Thus, it is forbidden to make public at FEUP information on persons with COVID-19 or in prophylactic isolation. For example, only the Health Authority can inform students of a class, year or course of study about the possible infection of a colleague or lecturer. The same applies to researchers, technical staff and other employees.

Final notes

In order to allow 20 minutes of airing, and avoid crossings at the entrance and exit of the classrooms, the on-site classes at FEUP must finish 10 minutes before the scheduled time and start 10 minutes after the scheduled time. Lecturers should ensure that the windows and doors of the classrooms are always open.

The call to continue to comply with all measures determined by the authorities to protect yourself, and to protect others, remains. In particular:

Use of mask on Campus, including outdoor spaces and terraces.
Social distance, inside and outside the buildings.
Social distance, in group or team work.

The use of the STAYAWAY COVID application is recommended. Its development was led by a Professor from FEUP, within INESC TEC, in collaboration with other institutions.

The maintenance of these behaviours by all of us can greatly contribute to the continuity of our activity on the Campus, even when isolated infection cases arise.

I reiterate my best wishes for an excellent semester, especially to the new students and collaborators in FEUP.

Best regards,

João Falcão e Cunha

Dean

FEUP: https://fe.up.pt/covid19/en/

U.Porto: https://up.pt/covid-19/ (in Portuguese)

DGS: https://covid19.min-saude.pt/ (in Portuguese)

Information to the FEUP Community

New Academic Year:

Academic Year 2021/2022:

Exams:

Other Documents:

Communications from the Director of FEUP

February 2022

January 2022

December 2021

November 2021

September 2021

July 2021

June 2021

April 2021

April 2021

February 2021

January 2021

December 2020

November 2020

October 2020

September 2020

June 2020

May 2020

April 2020

March 2020

Summary of the main measures:
(From 26 April 2022)

Information Session

Student support:

PROCEDURE FOR SUSPECTED CASES

More information

Information to the FEUP Community

New Academic Year:

Academic Year 2021/2022:

Exams:

Other Documents:

Communications from the Director of FEUP

Summary of the main measures: (From 26 April 2022)

Information Session

Student support:

PROCEDURE FOR SUSPECTED CASES

More information

Summary of the main measures:
(From 26 April 2022)