Philippine E-Journals

How the University of the East Responds to and Copes with the COVID-19 Pandemic

Alexander C Balcoba | Mark Cleeford L. Quitoras | Lydia R. Leonardo

 

Abstract:

The COVID-19 pandemic that started in 2020 continues to impact the whole world in ways that have been hard to imagine. The educational system particularly was hit hard forcing it to radically shift to an online mode to preclude face-to-face meetings. At the University of the East, virtual classes replaced the traditional classrooms and most business transactions conducted online. This study aimed to capture the major challenges that the university had to overcome in the face of the pandemic and document the subsequent preparations for the new normal as the pandemic lingers and hopefully comes to an end. The researchers used an open-ended online survey questionnaire consisting of three questions dealing with: 1) major challenges encountered by the University of the East during the pandemic period, 2) initial responses and coping strategies in terms of instruction, admission and enrollment, student’s support and resources, employees’ support, control and prevention program, and economic support, and finally, 3) the university’s preparation for the new normal. It is hoped that the results and findings of this study could provide lessons in preparing for similar future emergencies of the same or even bigger magnitude.