Pilot for rapid coronavirus self-tests in Nijmegen and Arnhem

As of Thursday 8 April, HAN University of Applied Sciences and Radboud University will commence usage of rapid self-tests. 400 students have indicated they want to participate in this pilot. Participation is voluntary. The pilot is part of the plan by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science to examine how more in-person education can take place in the new academic year.

The pilots at HAN University of Applied Sciences involve

• Automotive study programme tutorials
• teaching-related lectures organised together with several study associations.

At Radboud University, it involves

• Radboud Honours Academy tutorials
• and Microeconomics course tutorials

How does it work?

Students who have shown a willingness to participate in the pilot will receive online instructions beforehand on how the self-tests need to be administered. The administration of the test needs to happen before the lecture. If the result is negative, they are allowed to participate on location in the pilot's teaching activities. During the lectures or meetings, the RIVM requirements, such as the 1.5 meters of social distancing, will remain in effect.

Research
There are multiple similar pilot programmes in the Netherlands. The pilot in Nijmegen focuses on student wellbeing and the use of rapid self-tests. Research is being done on to what degree rapid self-tests can contribute to the safe recommencement of teaching activities and what impact this has on the wellbeing of students. Researchers of Radboud university medical center and Radboud University are researching this impact through surveys. The first research results are expected in early May.

Privacy
Because the pilot involves the collection of personal information from students, we want and need to carefully orchestrate the pilot. The outline complies with privacy legislation. The collected information cannot be traced back to specific participants and participation is always voluntary.

Teaching on location
After a year of mainly remote teaching, many students are eager to participate in teaching on location again. Physical teaching activities contribute to student wellbeing and study success. The educational institutions want to do their utmost to resume teaching on location in September. Preceding this, we hope that all students as of the end of April are able to receive teaching on location for one day per week with the introduction of the rapid self-tests. We are to receive definite answers on this topic next week through the press conferences. The ultimate result will partly be dependant on the number of infections and hospital occupancy. The introduction of rapid self-tests in Higher Education is also nationally a matter of discussion between the government and the educational institutions.

For more information, please contact

Rian van den Hout – spokesperson for the HAN University of Applied Sciences
E rian.vandenhout@han.nl, M 06 55 22 78 24

Martijn Gerritsen – spokesperson Radboud University
E m.gerritsen@ru.nl, M 0630023250