The university administration has confirmed that all remaining examination sessions will be moved to an online format. We are now reviewing the technical requirements for these remote assessments to ensure full compliance with the updated policy. Thank you for maintaining the pressure that secured this outcome.
February 24, 2022
Final supporters
In light of the current crisis and the urgent changes thereof, whether in education or other sectors, the students of Sorbonne University request with full cordiality and respect that the on-campus examination sessions would be reconsidered. We would like to request that the entirety of the examination session would be online due to its positive aspects that reduce the burden among students which is caused by the ongoing epidemic which may alter academic outcomes negatively.
Firstly, as per the email received on October 6th, 2021, the exams office stated ”per the latest instructions received from the Ministry of Education, we would like to inform you that all examinations (FLE Foundation year orientation exams, final examination sessions in January, May & June) will be conducted on campus for all students”. Clearly, no objection was raised against this announcement by the students as per the 7 day average of COVID-19 cases in the UAE was 177. However, with the acceleration of corona cases due to the new variant and festivities we believe that attending these exams is not in the best interest of the students. Sorbonne has stated numerous time that they are following the guidelines of the Ministry of Education. However, even with the recent statement of the ministry declaring that all learning should be conducted online for the first 2 weeks, Sorbonne has refused to change to online testing. This calls into question the universities ideologies of utmost safety. Are they willing to be held responsible for putting not only the safety of our health, but the safety of our family, elderly and immunocompromised at risk?
Furthermore, the examination office has decided that students who are tested positive for COVID or are identified as close contacts during the examination session are entitled to take the missed exams online (given the correct documentation). This decision is very flawed in terms of equality and fairness. Students who have the privilege to attend the examination sessions online will have access to all their material given that Sorbonne doesn’t use any lockdown browser to monitor the students screen. Meanwhile, students who are negative will have to attend the same examination but in person. Given this paradox, students are incentivized to test positive/get in contact with positive cases in order to have an advantage in examinations. This goes against all the rules of integrity and equality that the university preaches. This also does not line up with the vision of the Abu Dhabi government and its sectors to maintain a low infection rate of COVID-19 in the UAE.
Professors may express their concern about cheating if examinations were online but many measures can be put in place to prevent this given the amount of technological access we have now. In addition, some professors have expressed a keen interest in other examination formats which completely eliminates all concerns regarding cheating. For example, MCQ exams whereas wrong answers are penalized and only people who thoroughly analyze the course are able to answer. There are many routes that Sorbonne University could have taken to ensure the happiness of the Professors and the Students.
Finally, the epidemiological situation and its developments should be reviewed continuously to ease the safe return of students, and ensure the safety of teachers and administrative staff at educational facilities across the country. Unfortunately, this is not what Sorbonne University has done and students and their families are disappointed with the given decision. This decision does not take into account any of the new developments that have emerged. We hope you would reconsider as the students have no issue of attending exams on campus only if the situation remained the same as it was during the month of October.
We understand Sorbonne’s hesitance with online exams, and are aware decisions like this are not easy to make. We would like to reiterate the point that there was no objection to on-campus exams when it was previously announced. However, with the current turn of events, we are confident that this change is vital in creating an environment that staff and students feel comfortable to attend and work at their optimum. By expressing our opinions we believe it is the best way to ensure success and unity between all. We thank you for taking the time to read and once again hope that you will reconsider.
Updates
December 29, 2021
I am currently drafting a formal letter to the university administration that highlights the discrepancy between recent Ministry of Education guidelines and the refusal to move testing online. I have requested a meeting with the head of the examinations office to discuss the specific safety protocols for upcoming in-person sessions. We are monitoring all official announcements to ensure our request for remote alternatives remains grounded in the latest health data.
Reached 100 supporters
December 29, 2021
37 Comments
I wanted the exams to be on campus, i want nothing more than for life to be back to normal, but i am currently living with my grandma and i will not accept putting her at risk.
Delay face to face exams or allow remote or online exams for the first two weeks
I have asthma and it’s really dangerous for me to attend in the current situation
The fact that Sorbonne did not inform their students of the active corona cases on campus is unacceptable, we urge the university to reconsider their examination methods.
Cases are rising, omicron is highly spread between youth and people have elder family members at their homes.
I conquer that making the exams online is the better decision during the pandemic.
I agree Sorbonne should follow the law and rules given from MOE
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
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The university administration has confirmed that all remaining examination sessions will be moved to an online format. We are now reviewing the technical requirements for these remote assessments to ensure full compliance with the updated policy. Thank you for maintaining the pressure that secured this outcome.
February 24, 2022
Final supporters
In light of the current crisis and the urgent changes thereof, whether in education or other sectors, the students of Sorbonne University request with full cordiality and respect that the on-campus examination sessions would be reconsidered. We would like to request that the entirety of the examination session would be online due to its positive aspects that reduce the burden among students which is caused by the ongoing epidemic which may alter academic outcomes negatively.
Firstly, as per the email received on October 6th, 2021, the exams office stated ”per the latest instructions received from the Ministry of Education, we would like to inform you that all examinations (FLE Foundation year orientation exams, final examination sessions in January, May & June) will be conducted on campus for all students”. Clearly, no objection was raised against this announcement by the students as per the 7 day average of COVID-19 cases in the UAE was 177. However, with the acceleration of corona cases due to the new variant and festivities we believe that attending these exams is not in the best interest of the students. Sorbonne has stated numerous time that they are following the guidelines of the Ministry of Education. However, even with the recent statement of the ministry declaring that all learning should be conducted online for the first 2 weeks, Sorbonne has refused to change to online testing. This calls into question the universities ideologies of utmost safety. Are they willing to be held responsible for putting not only the safety of our health, but the safety of our family, elderly and immunocompromised at risk?
Furthermore, the examination office has decided that students who are tested positive for COVID or are identified as close contacts during the examination session are entitled to take the missed exams online (given the correct documentation). This decision is very flawed in terms of equality and fairness. Students who have the privilege to attend the examination sessions online will have access to all their material given that Sorbonne doesn’t use any lockdown browser to monitor the students screen. Meanwhile, students who are negative will have to attend the same examination but in person. Given this paradox, students are incentivized to test positive/get in contact with positive cases in order to have an advantage in examinations. This goes against all the rules of integrity and equality that the university preaches. This also does not line up with the vision of the Abu Dhabi government and its sectors to maintain a low infection rate of COVID-19 in the UAE.
Professors may express their concern about cheating if examinations were online but many measures can be put in place to prevent this given the amount of technological access we have now. In addition, some professors have expressed a keen interest in other examination formats which completely eliminates all concerns regarding cheating. For example, MCQ exams whereas wrong answers are penalized and only people who thoroughly analyze the course are able to answer. There are many routes that Sorbonne University could have taken to ensure the happiness of the Professors and the Students.
Finally, the epidemiological situation and its developments should be reviewed continuously to ease the safe return of students, and ensure the safety of teachers and administrative staff at educational facilities across the country. Unfortunately, this is not what Sorbonne University has done and students and their families are disappointed with the given decision. This decision does not take into account any of the new developments that have emerged. We hope you would reconsider as the students have no issue of attending exams on campus only if the situation remained the same as it was during the month of October.
We understand Sorbonne’s hesitance with online exams, and are aware decisions like this are not easy to make. We would like to reiterate the point that there was no objection to on-campus exams when it was previously announced. However, with the current turn of events, we are confident that this change is vital in creating an environment that staff and students feel comfortable to attend and work at their optimum. By expressing our opinions we believe it is the best way to ensure success and unity between all. We thank you for taking the time to read and once again hope that you will reconsider.
Updates
December 29, 2021
I am currently drafting a formal letter to the university administration that highlights the discrepancy between recent Ministry of Education guidelines and the refusal to move testing online. I have requested a meeting with the head of the examinations office to discuss the specific safety protocols for upcoming in-person sessions. We are monitoring all official announcements to ensure our request for remote alternatives remains grounded in the latest health data.
Reached 100 supporters
December 29, 2021
37 Comments
it’s not about the fact that we want the exams online. It’s the fact that there are active cases in dorms and uni and you are willing to put everyone’s risk just for us to do the exams on campus!! you can postpone the exams or have it online with lockdown browser.
I wanted the exams to be on campus, i want nothing more than for life to be back to normal, but i am currently living with my grandma and i will not accept putting her at risk.
Delay face to face exams or allow remote or online exams for the first two weeks
I have asthma and it’s really dangerous for me to attend in the current situation
The fact that Sorbonne did not inform their students of the active corona cases on campus is unacceptable, we urge the university to reconsider their examination methods.
Cases are rising, omicron is highly spread between youth and people have elder family members at their homes.
I conquer that making the exams online is the better decision during the pandemic.
I agree Sorbonne should follow the law and rules given from MOE
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it’s not about the fact that we want the exams online. It’s the fact that there are active cases in dorms and uni and you are willing to put everyone’s risk just for us to do the exams on campus!! you can postpone the exams or have it online with lockdown browser.