Moray College UHI launches academic year with coronavirus measures in place including garden forks two metres apart in Elgin Biblical Garden

MORAY College has launched its academic year amid the 'new normal' of coronavirus precautions.

Principal David Patterson said the landscape had changed for students and staff.

"Some of the physical changes we’ve put in place are what you’d expect - one-way systems, Perspex screens and multiple sanitiser points.

"Across the summer we also ran a 10-step induction programme so students could get to know the staff they’d be working with, meet their fellow students, and learn how to use the key college systems and software.

"Many of our courses look a bit different. Our horticulture students turned up for their first day at the Biblical Garden to find garden forks planted upright in the lawn at two metres distance, and a propagation polytunnel turned into a long, naturally ventilated and daylit ‘classroom’.

"Hospitality students turning up for their induction in the Beechtree training restaurant found themselves each with a ‘table for one’ that allowed a large group of students to be there together, but not close together."

Many students are still doing courses online and will complete courses remotely for the rest of the year.

The college will be hosting an online open day on Friday, September 25 between 2pm and 4pm, with places still available.

Read more on the start to academic life in David Patterson's exclusive column for The Northern Scot in the print edition on Friday, September 18.

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