The lorry drivers’ strike brings universities in the south to a standstill; ‘distance learning’ is back

As well as the empty shelves in shops and supermarkets, there is another image linked to the lorry drivers’ strike that takes us back six years in time. With several universities – just as happened during the Covid-19 pandemic – now, as then, being forced to suspend face-to-face teaching and revert to distance learning, the infamous ‘Dad’. The universities most affected are those in the south: Naples Federico II, Unisannio and Vanvitelli, alongside Catania.

The most striking case, given the size of its student body, concerns the University of Naples. From 22 October, at Federico II, teaching activities will continue online in accordance with the timetables already set out in the academic calendars. Scheduled examinations, on the other hand, may take place in person, subject to organisational arrangements and the availability of lecturers. For students unable to travel to the university campuses, special catch-up sessions will be organised at short notice, with details of the arrangements and dates to be announced at a later date.

Activities that necessarily require students to be present, such as laboratories, work placements and other practical sessions, will be regulated by the deans of the faculties in accordance with the specific requirements of individual degree programmes.

The graduation ceremonies already scheduled will, however, go ahead as normal in person. The university states that all these measures ‘will remain in force until further notice’.

Similar arrangements have also been put in place for its students by the Luigi Vanvitelli University of Campania.