KUWAIT: The School of Aviation at the Australian College of Kuwait (ACK), has officially welcomed students back to campus. However, things look a bit different. The COVID-19 pandemic has urged the College to make some changes, including the combination of virtual and in-person training classes.

The re-opening strategy is in compliance with guidelines set by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Higher Education, and upon the approval of the Private Universities Council (PUC), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Directorate General Civil Aviation (DGCA) and General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to physically attend only the practical training of the Aviation students by practicing the proper social distancing and the health and safety procedures. In addition, the College has set lots of precautionary measures to ensure everyone's safety.

The Health and Safety Department at ACK prepared the health, safety and security guidelines and procedures for the safe return of the students and faculty members. Mandatory protocols are placed on ground to reduce the transmission of the communicable disease at the college, and a fully detailed booklet was shared with ACK community to enlighten them with the steps taken for reassurance.

The precautionary plan included a mandatory temperature check and mandatory personal protective equipment. All students entering the campus must be wearing masks and students were given face shields on their first day of resumption that will be part of their mandatory personal protective equipment. In addition, students were asked to practice social distancing and wash their hands regularly.

To further raise awareness and ensure the safety of ACK's community, awareness signage were placed around campus, regular sterilization of ACK's buildings, increase supplies of sanitizer, increase the frequency of cleaning, and as a monitoring measure the College designated a COVID-19 Compliance Officer who is responsible to fully monitor the adherence of all staff and students in the aviation building to all of the mentioned new protocols.

"We understand that some students are concerned about returning to campus while the pandemic is still on. At ACK, we are working so hard and in compliance with all the regulations issued by local authorities to ensure learning continues with the appropriate safety measures in place," says Captain Abdul Hameed Al-Refai, Senior Director - School of Aviation.