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International Scientific Meeting Series at the University of Queensland: Establishing a Supportive Training Center for Students in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Laurence J. Walsh

School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, QLD 4006, Australia

ORCID: 0000-0001-5874-5687

Zyta M. Ziora

Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia

e-mail: z.ziora@imb.uq.edu.au

ORCID: 0000-0002-9664-3101

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4469827
received:   15.10.2020
corrected:   29.10.2020
accepted: 09.11.2020
Keywords:
Covid-19, pandemic, lockdown, distance,
virtual e-meetings.

Abstract

During 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had a  major impact globally, affecting many aspects of health, commerce and education as well as the global economy. International students were greatly affected, being locked down in their homes and unable to continue their university studies on campus. This article describes the approach taken at The University of Queensland in Australia, which recognised this a  unique opportunity to support and engage with students who were away from campus. An International Science Series of seminars was created to reach out to, and connect with research students, to support them in their scientific careers, and connect them virtually to their supervisors and peers. This virtual connection was maintained across 2020 through weekly Zoom meetings, to progress the development of the students and extend their knowledge of the broad base of science related to their field of study. These scientific multicultural discussions provide a valuable model for connections in the post-COVID-19 pandemic world.

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