The university sector has been one of the hardest hit by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With case numbers topping 20,000 per day in NSW and expected to go even higher in the coming weeks, the pandemic shows little signs of slowing down anytime soon.
University of Wollongong Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Patricia M. Davidson knows not to predict when this virus will end.
Though Professor Davidson admits to approaching 2022 with some fear and trepidation, but also the resolve and resilience that 'we've done it before'.
"We've been doing it for two years now, and we will keep doing it and we will do our best to keep our people safe," she said.
"I'm optimistic of better days ahead.
"If we were having this conversation in the first week of December I would have thought we'd all be back on campus by February. Now I think we just have to take it each day at a time.
"We've done a lot of work at the university to make sure we have enough rapid antigen tests and we've checked airflow in our rooms."
The UOW boss said she was optimistic about the university's future and proud of UOW's resilient students and staff.
"It hasn't been perfect but what other business has achieved business continuity. Our students are graduating on time. It might not be what they felt they signed up for but they are moving along," Prof Davidson said.
Over the course of history young people had faced trials and tribulations because of wars and depressions.
I wish COVID would go away but I think we are in a strong enough place to weather the storm.
- UOW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Patricia M. Davidson
Prof Davidson said university students and incoming students are also facing their own unique challenges.
"I think young people have been the most effected by the pandemic. I am concerned about making sure that they see a future that is bright and that we will all get through all of this," she said.
"They haven't had what they deserve, which is having a good time as well as being students.
"I just think we need to come together to focus on our future which will be brighter.
"We have had two groups of international students return and I'm sure we'll see more return this year.
"But what we are really excited about is the increased demand locally from students, particularly from our early admission programs.
"Everybody is just waiting to see what the new business model will look like. I think the financial dependence on international students is never going to be the same. We need to do a lot to recalibrate our business models.
"I wish COVID would go away but I think we are in a strong enough place to weather the storm."
The Illawarra Mercury newsroom is funded by our readers. You can subscribe to support our journalism here.
Sign up for breaking news emails below ...