THE UNIVERSITY of the East is considering holding limited face-to-face classes for all degree programs in the first quarter of 2022, UE President Ester Garcia said on Friday.

Garcia said officials of the Coordinating Council on Higher Education already met with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Commission on Higher Education, and the Department of Health to discuss the matter.

“In UE, we are hoping to start by January or at the latest by first semester of next school year and if allowed by then, all the other programs, as well,” Garcia said.

“Among the many requirements for safe opening discussed was the vaccination of students. I appeal to you (students) to please get vaccinated as soon as possible so we can safely open schools and welcome you back,” she added.

Currently, only Dentistry students are allowed to attend physical classes.

Earlier, CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III said the agency is studying the possibility of allowing limited in-person classes in areas with low Covid19 risk and high vaccination rate.

So far, at least 181 higher education institutions offering health and allied programs nationwide have been authorized to conduct face-to-face classes.