A number of University of Fiji students are struggling to cope with studying online while University of Fiji Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaista Shameem says they are working with the Students Association to ensure there is no drop in the quality of education.
Students Association President Sailosi Dawai says they have received reports from students, especially from those who are staying in rural areas that they are not familiar with the online mode of study, they are experiencing poor internet connection and do not have laptops or smartphones.
Professor Shameem says will follow them up this week to ensure no one gets left out.
Dawai says since most of their parents are also not working, they do not have the money to travel to towns and pay for internet costs.
Professor Shameem says lecturers are now working longer hours to ensure their students are fully connected and are able to spend the required time on their studies and learning hours have been increased due to the on-line mode of teaching.
Dawai also says buying data plans was initially an issue for students but they are thankful to Vodafone and Digicel for giving them free access if they want to access their Moodle accounts.
