Jacobs University is looking forward to the start of the new academic year 2021/2022 and to welcoming the 21st undergraduate class with new students from all over the world to our campus in Bremen-Nord. Although Corona-related restrictions and rules are still in place with the ongoing pandemic, we have seen a number of positive developments since the start of the last academic year in September 2020 – worldwide, in Germany, and on the Jacobs University campus.
At Jacobs University, extensive vaccination of staff has taken place, our comprehensive hygiene concept has worked extremely well, members of the Jacobs community have adjusted to studying, living and working under Corona rules – and by the start of the fall semester, a significant number of our students will also have been vaccinated.
We would like to give all members of the international Jacobs Community a preview of the arrangements for the coming academic year, so that you can plan accordingly and look forward to the new semester.
In-presence teaching
Jacobs University has decided to return to in-presence teaching as the standard mode of teaching for the fall semester 2021 – with the following exceptions:
- For first-year students who are still in quarantine at the start of the semester or who may be delayed in arriving on campus due to travel or visa delays, instructors will provide flexible teaching and learning opportunities in the first two weeks of the semester to make sure students do not fall behind.
- The master’s programs Data Engineering, Supply Chain Management and Data Science for Society and Business will conduct either online only or hybrid (online & offline) teaching throughout the whole first semester.
Proven hygiene concept
Jacobs University developed its hygiene, safety, health and supply concepts for students and employees early on. With only a few Corona cases on campus over the last year and exclusively among returning travelers, these measures have proven to be extraordinarily successful, reliable, and sustainable. With the start of the new semester, campus rules will therefore be adapted taking into account new developments, and in particular, the official guidelines issued by the Federal Government and the Bremen State Government.
The common basis for learning, teaching, working and living together on campus is the “3G Rule”: all members of the Jacobs Community being on campus must either be vaccinated, recovered or tested (in German: geimpft, genesen, getestet – hence, 3G). In order to secure in-presence teaching students and Instructors must be prepared to prove their status to our Campus Security team at any time through official documents or test results.
For contact tracing and exchange with the Bremen health authorities, Jacobs University will additionally utilize the free Luca app in the area of teaching. This will allow each participant to check in digitally when entering a teaching room.
On-Campus Testing Center
Beginning on August 20th – the earliest allowable arrival date for students – there will be daily on-campus opportunity for both students and employees to be tested for COVID-19 infection (Monday – Saturday). The testing center will be operated by an external certified specialist, whose certificates will be recognized for the purpose of attending teaching events on campus. For a limited period during the first weeks of the new semester, this offer is free of charge.
On-campus Vaccination Offer
By September 1, free of charge, EU-compliant COVID-19 vaccinations will be available to students in collaboration with Jacobs University's company physician. Students without any prior vaccination can receive two BioNTech-Pfizer vaccinations. Students who have received a primary vaccination with an EU-approved vaccine (BioNTech Pfizer, Moderna, Astra Zeneca) can receive the appropriate secondary vaccination. And students who have been vaccinated with a vaccine not approved in the EU can obtain a fully vaccinated status via a single vaccination with the EU approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine. While the vaccination is voluntary, Germany`s health authorities strongly advise it be taken.
Entry to Germany
For entry into Germany, Jacobs University asks all members of the community to familiarize themselves with all legal entry requirements – you will find relevant information and links on our FAQ page.
Jacobs University wishes you all a wonderful remaining summer season and is looking forward to the next academic year.