VCUarts Qatar moves to online classes as conflict escalates in Middle East
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia Commonwealth University's (VCU) campus in Qatar has moved to online classes, with people sheltering in place throughout the country as the conflict in the Middle East escalates.
A spokesperson for VCU said a national emergency alert and shelter-in-place order in Qatar was enacted on Saturday, Feb. 28, and remains in effect, as of reporting, requiring everyone to remain indoors.
Classes at VCUarts Qatar were reportedly canceled on Sunday, March 1, and following a directive by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, classes have temporarily shifted online.
The shift to online classes comes after debris from Iranian missiles injured 16 in Qatar, according to reporting by Al Jazeera.
The university spokesperson added that VCUarts Qatar continues to operate fully remote and will continue to do so "at least until the end of this week."
The VCUarts Qatar building is not officially closed, according to the spokesperson, but it is empty, as of reporting, as administrative and academic work is being done online.
No VCUarts Qatar students, faculty or staff have reported injuries, according to VCU.
In addition, VCU said there have been no evacuations in Education City; however, the Qatar Foundation suspended all campus activities, including the Education City Tram and all events.
The university spokesperson said that missile activity, debris and safety alerts have affected the city of Doha in its entirety.
"While Education City is not immediately adjacent to the Al Udeid Air Base where it is believed the missiles were directed, the entirety of Doha was impacted by the missile activity, debris and subsequent national safety alerts," the spokesperson said.
The Associated Press (AP) has reported that Majed Al Ansari, a spokesman of the Qatari foreign ministry, said Iranian attacks targeted military facilities and struck across all of Qatar’s territory.
According to AP, Ansari said there were attempted attacks on the Hamad International airport, and added that more than 8,000 people have been stranded as the country’s airspace remains closed.
