IWHR admitted the first two international students as doctoral candidates in 2019. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 at the beginning of 2020, both of them have not left Beijing. In order to prevent and control the epidemic, IWHR has deployed a series of rapid and effective measures to ensure international students can get on with normal life in China.

Implementing relevant measures as required by superior authorities, and taking strict actions for joint prevention and control

IWHR has implemented relevant measures about epidemic prevention and control as required by superior authorities such as the Beijing Municipal Education and Commission and Beijing Entry and Exit Administration Bureau. According to instructions, IWHR has carried out several actions to strengthen the management of international students’ epidemic prevention. Meanwhile, three levels of mechanism for joint prevention and control in Graduate School-Supervisors-Community have been established. Combining with actual situation of IWHR, the two students have been enrolled into community-based epidemic prevention and control. IWHR provides face masks and disinfectants to the international students and require them to spend less time going out and wear masks when they need to buy daily necessities. IWHR also reminds students that they should adhere with the body temperature monitoring requirements when they enter the community. They are also required to report any abnormal situations and health status to supervisors and Graduate School, and participate in epidemic prevention and control.

Encouraging International students join online education

In order to enhance international students’ Chinese language and professional knowledge learning during the epidemic prevention and control period, IWHR Graduate School have selected many Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) for Chinese language learning, online courses provided by Tsinghua University, as well as the forum of IAHR world water day 2020 special event for hydro-environment engineering and adaptation to climate change for the international students. Through sharing the online resources, they can expand their professional horizons. Meanwhile, IWHR also encourages international students and their supervisors to establish interactions online in order to promote scientific research practice and strengthen professional knowledge.

Strengthening the media publicity and humanistic concern, and building confidence for epidemic prevent and control

IWHR shows great concern about the international students’ health conditions and their views about the epidemic in China. Staffs from Graduate School contact and communicate with international students through IWHR official account, WeChat group and phone calls. IWHR provides daily update about epidemic control to prevent panic, and manages messages properly to ensure that each student can receive them on time, which will guide them to prevent infection, avoid panic and understand the coronavirus scientifically.

IWHR has implemented daily report system to ask international students’ situation and their psychological status. The staff focuses on inspiring and communicating with students, and sharing messages about relevant knowledge such as “A Guidance Manual on Mental Health During the NCP Outbreak” to deal with pressures caused by the coronavirus. It will help students increase their awareness of infection prevention and keep their mind on their study tasks. Additionally, the staff from IWHR makes great effort to solve the problems and difficulties reported by international students and also offers suggestions on strengthening physical exercises to reduce psychological stress and increase confidence.

　　(IWHR international students are studying and exercising in dormitory)

　　IWHR Graduate School

　　31st March 2020