Esade’s academic activity to be carried out online

With the firm commitment to help to stop the global spread of Covid-19 and ensure the maximum safety of its different academic communities, Esade has decided to carry out all its academic activity at its Barcelona (Pedrables), Sant Cugat del Vallès and Madrid campuses online until March 30th.

The decision implemented on the Sant Cugat campus is a measure taken by Esade in addition to those in the Covid-19 protocol within the framework of their contingency plan, and is the first step towards teaching all classes online. So far, only two members of the Esade community have tested positive for the virus: one on the Sant Cugat campus, and one in the Madrid campus. Esade has not been notified of any other cases of students, participants or Esade professionals testing positively for Covid-19.

The Madrid campus, which focuses on executive education, has adopted the guidelines issued by the regional government for educational establishments ranging from nursery schools to universities.

Meanwhile, the Barcelona-Pedralbes campus will also carry out its academic activity in e-learning mode, only as a temporary preventive measure and as an additional guarantee to those implemented today at the Madrid and Sant Cugat del Vallès campuses.

The shift into e-learning mode does not mean that either campus will be shut down. Faculty will continue to work using Esade’s high-tech e-learning systems, and professional staff will also remain at work. Teleworking is available to any staff in complicated circumstances who might be affected by Covid-19 and likewise anyone with small children attending schools in the Community of Madrid that have been closed.

This decision, which provides greater assurance to its students and reinforces its commitment to the surrounding communities in which Esade is present, was possible thanks to the investment in innovation and development of specific e-learning teaching methods undertaken at Esade two years ago in response to new calls for on-line education with the launch of its 100% online programmes. The academic results of the students who have taken on-line programmes in these two years reveal the same level of satisfaction with their educational experience and also higher levels of learning in comparison with students on programmes based entirely on traditional methods. Esade is, therefore, decisively committed to e-learning in today’s hazardous scenario with a view to helping bring the spread of the Covid-19 virus under control.

Esade is well aware that in a global business school of its size, positive cases may occur in the coming weeks, but this is no reason for alarm or excessive concern. Esade’s contingency plan includes a scenario that contemplates the closure of all its campuses and the continuation of students’ classes, whilst faculty teach from home and professional staff work remotely.

Summary of specific measures taken by Esade

1) Start of remote classes by teams on the Madrid and Sant Cugat campuses and cancellation of face-to-face classes. These campuses will remain open for teachers and academic staff.

2) Cancelation of participation by students, teaching and professional staff in events and meetings of more than 150 people until 15 April.

3) Cancelation of all trips to countries and regions deemed at risk of the coronavirus (currently all China including Hong Kong and Macao, Iran, Japan, Italy, Singapore, and South Korea). Any person returning from a country or region at risk must enter quarantine for 14 days.

Additionally, Esade has created a specific e-mail address for any questions and concerns regarding the coronavirus (health@esade.edu) as well as a special dedicated section on its website  (https://www.esade.edu/es/news-events/covid-19).