Dr Thomas Barker from the University of Nottingham Malaysia was a special guest on Astro Awani’s Consider This programme on 15 April.
Dr Barker, an Associate Professor and Head of the School of Media, Languages and Cultures, was invited by hosts Melissa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan to talk about the adaptability of the higher education sector during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Barker started off by addressing the serious impact of the higher education sector as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. He explained that many universities across the world are dependent on the arrival of international students, and the worldwide lockdowns have made this impossible.
He added that University of Nottingham Malaysia has been adapting by moving into online teaching. However, this can sometimes be challenging for both staff and students. Dr Barker also spoke about the harsh reality of a possible economic recession following this pandemic and how graduates must be prepared for this.
“On the positive note, there is also a possibility for students to come out of this more resilient and better able to adapt to challenges as they have managed to overcome something of this magnitude,” said Dr Barker.
“Our student welfare has always been a major priority for us. The University is doing all it can to support the students now with their online learning and ensuring they still get a world-class education,” said Professor Graham Kendall, CEO and Provost of University of Nottingham Malaysia.
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For media enquiries please contact: Josephine Dionisappu, PR and Communications Manager University of Nottingham Malaysia at josephine.dionisappu@nottingham.edu.my
Notes to editors: The University of Nottingham is a research-intensive university with a proud heritage, consistently ranked among the world's top 100. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our 44,000 students - Nottingham was named both Sports and International University of the Year in the 2019 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, was awarded gold in the TEF 2017 and features in the top 20 of all three major UK rankings. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement. We are ranked eighth for research power in the UK according to REF 2014. We have six beacons of research excellence helping to transform lives and change the world; we are also a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally.
Posted on 21st April 2020