COVID-19 Lockdown – transitioning LSST online

🔊 Male Voice 🔊 Female Voice

By Ali Jafar Zaidi and Kunal Chan Mehta

LSST’s CEO, Mr Syed Zaidi, lauds students and staff for a rapid and robust response to transitioning LSST online, post-COVID-19.

The global impact of COVID-19 has been a powerful reminder of just how connected we are to each other – and how the choices we make today determine tomorrow’s options.

Large numbers of specialised and exceptionally dedicated staff from LSST’s London, Luton and Birmingham campuses worked non-stop to respond to COVID-19’s multifaceted challenges such as the immediate suspension of all face-to-face teaching. The staff considered every contingent as they rapidly undertook key planning and implementation work to ensure that each student had minimal disruption to their studies.

The choice to transition to total virtual teaching was not made lightly but the changes made were focused on following clear government guidelines on limiting the spread of COVID-19.

LSST’s CEO, Mr Syed Zaidi, speaking about the concerted effort, said: ‘It is only at the most challenging of times that we rely on the collective determination, creativity and judgment of our staff. I am honoured to be a member of LSST’s community where staff have put the greater good above their own self-interest. I particularly thank our incredible students for their resilience and calm during this difficult chapter – and despite our increased distance, we have deepened our attention for each other.’

LSST’s Deputy CEO, Mr Mohammed Zaidi, added: ‘LSST’s IT department worked incessantly with teams across the country and undertook a month’s task within a weekend. LSST’s loyal workforce has time and time again proved that it is quickly able to mobilise teams and resources to successfully adapt during a comprehensive crisis. Our partners – London Metropolitan University, Buckinghamshire New University, and the University of West London – are in support of our ingenuity behind transitioning LSST online. Sequentially, we are now in the process of aligning our systems to offer LSST’s virtual learning platforms to students across the globe.’

Acknowledging the intensity of the pandemic, LSST’s Student Union President, Irina Barariu, added: ‘At a truly isolating time, LSST’s virtual learning system has helped students remain connected to their lecturers, peers and course learning materials. Without this system, many students would not have been able to continue their studies. The software is so life-like that you can record events, raise a digital hand in class, type opinions and virtually connect with classmates to formulate opinions. The overall student feedback is very positive and I feel that virtual learning will become a larger part of LSST’s teaching delivery in the future.’

Contact ali.jafar@lsst.ac, LSST’s Marketing and Admissions Director, to learn more about LSST Global.

Contact kunal.mehta@lsst.ac, LSST’s Public Relations Department, to learn more about LSST’s transition to online learning during the COVID-19 emergency.