Coronavirus self-test pilot study to expand in-person education
On Thursday 8 April, 400 HAN student volunteers began using rapid self-tests for coronavirus. They are part of a pilot study to investigate how we can enable more in-person education in the upcoming academic year.
After a year of mainly distance learning, many students yearn to be able to attend classes in person. HAN believes that in-person educational activities contribute to student wellbeing and study success. That is why we began a pilot study on 8 April to evaluate the use of rapid self-tests. We want to do everything we can to be able to provide on-campus education again by September.
The pilot study is part of the plans from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. HAN and Radboud University are participating in this study together. At HAN, work groups have been organized in the Automotive Engineering program. Also, education-related seminars have been set up in collaboration with several student associations. At Radboud University, the pilot study will involve work groups at the Radboud Honours Academy and the Microeconomics program.
How it works
Students who have indicated that they will participate in the pilot will receive advance online instructions on how to administer the self-test. The test should be taken prior to each (class) meeting. If the student receives a negative result, they can participate in the pilot activity on campus. Of course, this will occur while observing the requirements set by RIVM, such as keeping a distance of 1.5 meters.
Student wellbeing
Self-testing pilot studies will be conducted throughout the Netherlands in the coming months. In our study, the focus is on student wellbeing and the use of rapid self-testing. The research aims to gain an understanding of the extent to which self-testing can contribute to the safe resumption of in-person education. We also want to understand the impact of self-testing on student wellbeing. The first results of the study are expected in early May.
Before the new academic year begins, we hope to be able to offer all students on-campus classes again for one day a week, using the rapid self-test. A final decision on this will be given at the press conference on Tuesday, 13 April.
Want to know more?
For more information, contact:
Rian van den Hout – spokesperson, HAN University of Applied Sciences
E: rian.vandenhout@han.nl
Martijn Gerritsen – spokesperson, Radboud University
E: m.gerritsen@ru.nl
