Part I. Teaching and courseselection

Q1. When will courses start andwhen will students return to campus?

A: The Spring/Summer Semester isto start officially on February 24 as per the original academic calendar of theUniversity. Online teaching will be adopted before students are back to campus.When students return, classroom teaching will gradually resume. The return datewill be determined according to the requirements of the authorities and the epidemicprevention and control situation of the University.

Q2. How does the teaching proceedin the Spring Semester?

A: Before the students’ return tocampus, regular courses open for the spring semester and the spring/summersemester according to the teaching plan will be taught online. The theoretical componentof the Experiment/Practice courses will be taught online, and the experimentaland practical component of the courses will be conducted after the students areback to campus. If conditions permit, some experiments in these courses may be facilitatedonline by sufficiently drawing on VR projects.

Q3. What are the arrangementsregarding Physical Education Courses for graduate students?

A: The Graduate School and theDepartment of Public Physical and Art Education of the University have madeadjustments to the physical education courses for the spring semester based onthe current situation of the epidemic prevention and control and in light of theeducation and teaching goals of the PE curriculum. Students can learn andpractice simplified Tai Chi, Cha Cha, Rumba, Jive, etc. at home via online teachingplatform before returning to campus while teachers can give distance guidance ona class basis.

Q4. Are there any changes in the courseselection schedule for graduate students?

A: In order to guarantee smoothonline teaching, it is necessary to deliver relevant training to teachers andstudents in advance. Thus, the deadline for the initial course selection hasbeen moved up. It is now scheduled as follows:

First round selection: 9 a.m.,February 11- 9 a.m., February 15

Make-up selection: 8 a.m.,February 24 - 11 a.m., March 6

Undergraduates can selectgraduate courses during the make-up selection period. Graduates can selectundergraduate courses during the third and fourth rounds ofundergraduate course selection, the time for which is subject to the onlinenotice of the Undergraduate School.

Q5. Where is the online teachingconducted?

A: Learning in ZJU (学在浙大,http://courses.zju.edu.cn/) will be the main platform for online teaching,including course slides, assisting learning materials, on-class Q&A andquizzes, homework assignments and revisions, teaching assistants’ Q&A,etc., while ZJU DingTalk (浙大钉) will be themain platform for live streaming. Third-party platforms can be used oncechecked and approved by the University. Course information can be accessed viaLearning in ZJU (学在浙大).

Q6. How are the courses conductedonline?

A: The online course will bemainly conducted by live streaming and supplemented by means of MOOC, recorded videos,etc. The lecturers will organize online teaching following the previouslyscheduled class hours.

Q7. What should students preparefor online learning?

A: Students should update theircontact number and email in the Graduate Management Information System in atimely manner to ensure smooth contact with the University. Besides, studentsneed to download ZJU DingTalk (浙大钉) APP andcomplete their registration and identification in both ZJU DingTalk (浙大钉)and Learning in ZJU (学在浙大), in whichthe classes will be automatically generated. Please be familiar with theoperations of ZJU DingTalk (浙大钉) and Learningin ZJU (学在浙大) in advance.

Q8: How can graduates shift from a doctoral program to a master’sprogram or change majors before they are back to school?

A: The applicationfor a student status change is facilitated online. First, students requesting sucha change should file an application in the Graduate Management Information System,download the application forms, and send them by email in electronic versionsto relevant teachers and schools (departments). Second, the schools(departments) make online assessments by virtue of video interviews, etc. (for shiftof majors within a same first-level discipline). Third, the schools(departments) report the case to the Graduate School for review and approvalthrough OA.

Q9: Will thepart-time graduate courses start on time?

A: The general compulsory courses andoptional courses of part-time graduate students are arranged by Graduate Schooland offered online. Please pay close attention to the latest updates on the GraduateSchool website and select courses in time. The professional courses are left tothe discretion of schools (departments), and please pay close attention to thenotices on the websites of the relevant schools (departments).

Part II. CultivationProcedures

Q10: What are the arrangements regarding the mid-period examination forspring semester doctoral students?

A: The start time of the mid-period examinationfor spring semester doctoral students will be determined according to the situationof the epidemic prevention and control and the extent to which the epidemicconcern is lifted. The specific arrangements will be notified later in anothernotice. Spring semester doctoral students who pass the mid-period examinationwill receive elevated post-grants from the University calculated from Marchonward.

Q11: Will cultivation procedures such as dissertation proposal reportand pre-defense for graduate students proceed normally?

A: Cultivation procedures such as thesis proposalreport and pre-defense for graduate students can be postponed according to possibleprogress in the epidemic situation. If certain circumstances require the completionof such procedures prior to the end of the epidemic, flexible means or methods(e.g., online defense in the form of video conference) may be employed to facilitatesuch procedures in the light of the basic requirements of the University and theschools (departments). Students in such circumstances should follow the specificarrangements and requirements of the relevant schools (departments).

Part III. Professional(Degree) Practice

Q12: Will professionaldegree graduate students proceed with their professional practices normally?

A: In accordance with the requirements ofepidemic prevention and control, the University has decided to suspend allkinds of professional practice activities for graduate students previouslyscheduled for February. Professional practice plans for March and beyond willbe determined according to the actual situation of the epidemic prevention andcontrol and the extent to which the epidemic concern is lifted. Please payclose attention to the notices in the corresponding school (department) websitefor latest updates. If the conditions permit, graduate students can carry outprofessional practice in the form of telecommuting according to therequirements of the employer.

Part IV. Overseas Exchange

Q13:How to go through review and approval procedures for official overseas trips orvisits?

A: In principle, all overseas visitsbefore the end of February should be postponed or cancelled. For graduatestudents who insist on going abroad before the end of February due to exceptionalcircumstances, they must contact their schools (departments) and go through reviewand approval procedures with the University before travelling abroad. Plans forofficial overseas trips of graduate students in March and beyond will be notifieddepending on the epidemic situation. During the epidemic period, WeChat andemail screenshots with specific comments can be used as valid proof of supervisors’and school (department) heads’ approval for graduate students’ officialoverseas trips.

Q14:For government-funded graduate students studying overseas, can they apply foran extended stay if they are not able to return to China on time due to theepidemic?

A: According to the Notice on Measuresto Support Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Epidemic Prevention and Control byCSC, “for government-funded studentsoverseas who were scheduled to return to China before March 31 (tentative),their application for a deferred return due to the epidemic should be supported.The overseas study duration for these students can be extended up to March 31(tentative).” According to the requirements of the University, graduatestudents who plan to apply for deferred return to China shall apply for a changein the overseas status through the “Overseas” module in the Graduate Education ManagementInformation System, which shall be further examined and approved by their supervisorsand schools (departments). Graduate students applying for deferred return shouldalso remember to handle their visa extension if necessary by themselves. Incase they fail to apply for a visa extension, they should still return to Chinaon schedule and make sure not to stay overseas with an expired visa.

Q15: Can graduatestudents under CSC scholarship grants continue to receive financial assistance duringtheir extended overseas stay due to the epidemic?

A: According to the Notice onMeasures to Support Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Epidemic Prevention and Control by CSC, “students will be provided with standard living subsidy during theextension period (tentatively set from January 20 to March 31) once theirapplication for delayed return is approved”.

Q16: What shouldbe done if CSC scholarship graduate students fail to return to the destinationcountry on time due to the epidemic?

A: According to the Noticeon Measures to Support Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Epidemic Prevention andControl by CSC, “it is recommended that students who have returned fromoverseas for holiday or meeting and thus cannot go back to the destination countriesclosely communicate with their overseas host universities to re-schedule areturn time. Under such circumstances, their deferred domestic stay shall not interruptthe counting of their overseas study duration, and the living subsidy under theprogram will be provided normally from January 20 to March 31(tentative). Ifstudents are still not back to their destination country after March 31, thestudy overseas study duration will be interrupted and the living subsidy willbe suspended from April 1. The suspension will be lifted from the date of thestudents’ return to their destination country and reporting to the localembassy or consulate”. Graduate students who are in such situations should contacttheir domestic schools (departments) regarding their plan and schedule to goback to the destination country and host university.

Q17:What should I do if I have obtained the qualification to study abroad fromChina Scholarship Council but failed to be dispatched due to the epidemicprevention and control?

A: According to the Notice on Measures to Support the NovelCoronavirus Epidemic Prevention and Control by CSC, “for thegovernment-funded overseas study students whose qualification is valid untilJune 30, 2020, their applications for deferred dispatching, changes in hostuniversities or countries or withdrawal of qualification shall be supported ifthey cannot be dispatched as planned due to the epidemic prevention andcontrol.” Graduate students who intend to apply for deferred dispatch shallcontact their domestic and foreign supervisors in a timely manner, and apply tothe overseas study office via e-mail with updated invitation letters andpersonal statements approved by their domestic supervisors and colleges (departments).

Q18:Can I apply for the qualification for government-funded overseas study withChina Scholarship Council this year if I have obtained but gave up thequalification due to the epidemic prevention and control?

A: According to the Notice on Measures to Support the NovelCoronavirus Epidemic Prevention and Control issued by China ScholarshipCouncil, "Anyone who has waived the government-funded overseas studyqualification with CSC due to the epidemic situation is not subject to therestriction that he/she cannot apply for qualification within two years."Thus, the student can still apply for the qualification for government-fundedoverseas study with CSC this year.

Q19:Are there any changes in the applications for government-funded overseasgraduate student programs in high-level university with the China ScholarshipCouncil in 2020?

A: At present, the ChinaScholarship Council has not released any relevant information. The GraduateSchool will notify the schools (departments), teachers and students in a timelymanner for the application process once information is updated.

Q20:Can the students who have obtained the university-level funding such as the"Rising Star of Zhejiang University PhD Graduate Training Program"and "Zhejiang University PhD Graduates Funding for InternationalCooperation and Exchange Programs" apply for an extension of overseasstudy as they cannot return to China due to the epidemic situation? How toapply for the extension, and can these students be funded during the extended period?

A: The graduate students who areabroad at present are supported for an extension up to March 31 (tentative) dueto the epidemic situation. According to the requirements of ZhejiangUniversity, the graduate students who plan to apply for deferred return toChina shall apply for a change in the overseas status through the “Overseas”module in the Graduate Education Management Information System, which shall be furtherexamined and approved by their supervisors and schools (departments).Postgraduate students who apply for a deferred return to China should deal withtheir visa extension when necessary by themselves. For those who fail to obtaina visa extension, they should return to China on schedule and make sure not tostay abroad with expired visas. Postgraduate students who have been approvedfor extension by the school (department) need to cover any expense themselves inadvance, and settle the reimbursement after returning to China.

Q21:Can I apply for university-level funding in the future if I have received itthis year but I gave up the qualification due to the epidemic prevention andcontrol?

A: You will still be qualified toapply in the future.

Part V. StudentStatus Management

Q22:Is there any change in the registration time for graduate students?

A: Postgraduate registration ispostponed until the full start of the new semester, which is to be determinedbased on the epidemic situation and circumstances of the University. The specificregistration time will be notified later. All graduate students are requested notto return to the campus in advance.

Q23:How to apply for changes in student status such as leave, extension,resumption, and study completion?

A: The senior students can applyonline for leave by uploading supporting materials through the Status ChangeModule in the Graduate Education Management Information System. New studentscan apply for leave by sending the supporting materials in electronic forms tothe postgraduate office of their schools (departments). In principle, a newstudent should not request a leave exceeding two weeks, and the cumulativeduration of leaves requested by a senior student should not exceed one month throughouta long semester. After returning to the University, graduate students who requestfor a leave must report back to their schools (departments) in a timely manner.Students who need to apply for study extension, suspension or resumption of study,and study completion, etc. should file applications online in the Graduate EducationManagement Information System. The required materials should be sent to thepostgraduate office of their schools (departments) via email. Matters thatrequire university-level review shall be reported by the schools (departments)via email. Hard copies of all these materials related to the applications forstudent status change need to be submitted after the epidemic concern is lifted.

Q24: During the periodof epidemic prevention and control, will the degree diplomas be issued asplanned?

A: When the productionand distribution of the graduation diplomas cannot be ensured in veryparticular circumstances, the University will issue degree certification documents with confirmable degree diplomanumbers through email or other means. Undersuch circumstances the University will also contact CHSI (China Higher Education StudentInformation) of the Ministry of Education for prompt degree records review and filing, so that prospective employerscan verify the graduate students’ degree records through the network. Once the epidemic is over,the formal degree diplomas will be producedand issued to the students.

Part VII. Dissertation Defense and Degree Conferral

Q25: For graduate students who planned todefend their dissertations in March 2020, what are the follow-up arrangementsconcerning the examination and review of their dissertations?

A: Theexamination and review of submitted dissertations of graduate students planningfor defense in March 2020 is generally completed, with the review results of mostof the dissertations already fed back to the Graduate Education Management System.The students should login to the system in time to read the comments from theexpert reviewers on their dissertations. The students are also suggested to maintainclose contact with their supervisors through email, telephone, etc., and keepup the work in revising and refining their dissertations under the guidance oftheir supervisors to ensure best possible academic quality.

Q26: For graduate students planning todefend their dissertations in June 2020, what are the arrangements concerningthe submission, examination and review of their dissertations?

A: At ouruniversity, the submission, examination and review of dissertations aredirectly carried out online through the Graduate Education Management System,including such procedures as dissertation uploading, duplicate checking, supervisorreview, school (department) review, submission to expert reviewers, expertreview, results feedback, etc. For graduate students planning to defend theirdissertations in June 2020, these procedures will remain unchanged from theprevious years. The specific timing for each procedure will be subject to thenotice of the corresponding school or department. For some of the graduatestudents who have not yet completed the experiments or projects pertaining totheir dissertations, they are advised to return to the University following thetime stipulated by the University and then complete the experiments or projectspromptly under the guidance of their supervisors. All schools (departments)will schedule reasonable deadlines for dissertation submission and examination,dissertation defense, and degree approval based on the actual situation.

Q27: Are there any changes to thearrangements regarding dissertation defense and degree approval planned inMarch 2020 and June 2020 due to the delayed start of the semester?

A: Forthe previously scheduled dissertation defense and degree approval in March2020, there are slight adjustments. The preliminary plan now is to schedule thedissertation defense for early and middle March, and degree approval for laterMarch. For the previously scheduled dissertation defense and degree approval inJune 2020, the schedule remains unchanged. Graduate students planning to defendtheir dissertations in March and June 2020 are requested to continue with theirdissertation-related work under the guidance of their supervisors. The Universitymay still make further adjustments to these preliminary schedules as per thespecific new semester resumption time. However, such potential adjustmentsshall be made to the greatest extent possible to avoid impact on the follow-up educationalor employment plans of the students.

Q28: For graduate students who are not ableto return to school in time due to epidemic prevention and control reasons, howwill they defend their dissertations?

A: Inlight of relevant regulations, the University organizes four sessions ofdissertation defense and degree approval in a year, respectively in March,June, September and December. We recommend that graduate students who may not beable to resume school temporarily due to epidemic prevention and controlreasons postpone their dissertation defense to a next session. If there are specialcircumstances (e.g., employment issues) that require such students to stilldefend their dissertations according to the original schedule, then on thebasis of student application and the approval of the student’sschool/department and the Graduate School, a dissertation defense in the formof online video conference may be applied. The composition of the defensecommittee and the defense procedures in such a case shall be implemented inaccordance with the standard provisions regarding dissertation defense.

Q29: Will the epidemic prevention andcontrol affect the issuance of degree diplomas?

A: In veryparticular circumstances where (if) theproduction and issuance of degree diplomas could not be guaranteed, the Universitywill send the students degree certification documents with confirmable degree diplomanumbers through email and other means. Under such circumstances the University willalso contact the academic degree management system of the national Ministry ofEducation for prompt degree information filing, so that the prospective employerscan verify the graduate students’ degrees on the internet. After the epidemicis over, the formal degree diplomas will be produced and issued to the students.