Work Arrangement and Guidance for Scientific Research During the Period of Coronavirus Prevention and Control
In order to guarantee the order and safety of scientific research in the University during the prevention and control of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus, the relevant arrangements are set as follows:
I. Application and Management of Scientific Research Projects
1) The application and acceptance period of the Natural Science Foundation of China and the National Social Science Foundation of China have been delayed due to the epidemic, and the submission method of materials has also been changed. The Research Administration Office (RAO) will closely follow up the situation and communicate with the related departments. Please pay close attention to the notice from RAO.
2) The project leaders shall apply for extension with the approval of the schools/institutes if the research projects cannot be conducted on schedule due to the prevention and control of novel coronavirus pneumonia.
3) During the prevention and control period, the research related issues can be followed up with RAO through the Internet. For emergency, please contact Zhang Huaan (zhanghuaan@cuhk.edu.cn) or Gong Rui (gongrui@cuhk.edu.cn).
II. Application and Implementation of Emergent Science and Technology Projects (all Levels)
1) Due to the urgent situation of the novel coronavirus outbreak, the schools and the institutes should actively apply for the research projects that can contribute to the prevention and control of such disease, especially in Guangdong, Shenzhen and Longgang District. Research projects shall be proposed by schools and institutes and then submitted by RAO.
2) All emergent science and technology projects focusing on the prevention and control of novel coronavirus pneumonia should strictly abide by laws, regulations and scientific research ethics. No novel coronavirus research shall be conducted without the approval of the relevant committee of the University.
3) Researchers with approval to conduct the novel coronavirus related research must take effective protective measures to ensure the health and safety.
4) RAO will maintain communication with research departments at all levels and to promote the set-up of research projects.
III. Implementation of Daily Scientific Research Projects
1) During the epidemic prevention and control period, researchers and research teams should arrange scientific research work accordingly. Non-experimental research projects can be moved online with video meetings applied.
2) For the requisite experimental research, the approval shall be gained from the school and the University at first, and then carried out under effective protection with gathering of people avoided. It is required that no more than two persons can be present in each laboratory at the same time.
3) During the period of epidemic prevention and control, the staff to maintain experiments (such as cell culture, animals, plants, chemical maintenance, etc.) or special equipment (especially large apparatus and equipment maintenance) shall not have fever or any suspected symptoms. Research activities shall be conducted with staff on duty after gaining approval from schools and the University. No more than two persons can be present in each laboratory at the same time.
4) During the epidemic prevention and control period, special attention shall be paid to the safety of laboratories. For laboratories with inflammable, explosive and easily released materials, accidents should be strictly prevented in the event of water shortage, power failure and gas shortage. Staff must be arranged to be on watch of such laboratories in accordance with relevant safety regulations.
5) For the above two types of research activities, the form of Laboratory Record Form During Epidemic Prevention and Control (see Appendix I) shall be filled and submitted to Ms. Luo Yan from RAO, email address: luoyan@cuhk.edu.cn.
6) All off-campus research, sampling and experiments shall be suspended.
7) Offline meetings related to research shall not be held until the epidemic situation is lifted. Meetings that have been arranged shall be cancelled, postponed, or moved online.
8) Reduce the travelling for research related conferences as much as possible.
IV. Time and Arrangement of Returning to University for Researchers
1) Full-time researchers (including post-docs) shall return to the University at the same time as all faculty and staff on February 10, 2020 (see email notification on February 4, 2020 from HRO for detail). Please strictly follow the campus guidelines on epidemic prevention when entering the campus.
2) Full-time researchers currently in Hubei and Wenzhou shall not return to the University. Please stay safe and wait for further notice.
3) For full-time researchers who have stayed in Hubei or Wenzhou within the last two weeks, or have had close contact with people from Hubei or Wenzhou, please do not return to the University and go in quarantine following the guidelines. Those who have not reported their own situation are required to report to Della Huang of Human Resources Office via mobile: 15889768097.
4) Part-time teaching assistants of full-time researchers shall follow the online teaching arrangements of each school starting from February 17th.
5) For the teaching and learning of graduate students, please see the relevant announcement on the intranet（http://coronavirusinfo.cuhk.edu.cn）.
6) Part-time teaching assistants of graduate students shall follow the relevant arrangement of each school.
7) During the epidemic prevention and control period, please comply with the requirements of Item III for the necessary experimental research.
The information above is based on the notices from the governments, departments and schools. In case of any updates on the above issues, the new version shall prevail. The University will closely follow the situation and provide explanation if any questions arise.
Feb. 18th, 2020
Appendix：Laboratory Record Form During Epidemic Prevention and Control
