By Siti Fatimah Azzahra Zawawi
KUALA LUMPUR, 1 February 2021 – The Ministry of Higher Education has announced that students returning to campus physically will begin on 1st March 2021.
Based on a survey and research carried out by Majlis Perundingan Pelajar Kebangsaan (MPPK) it showed that majority of students want learning and teaching sessions to be conducted online.
However, the Majlis Keselamatan Negara (National Security Council) has agreed to allow six categories of students to return to campus physically to follow hybrid teaching and learning which are both physical and online methods.
The six categories allowed are as follows:
- Students from certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that require practical, laboratory, clinical, training, studios, workshops and special equipment.
- Students who do not have access and the non-conducive environment to implement online teaching and learning.
- Foundation students or equivalent and diploma students who are currently on campus can continue hybrid learning.
- All current and new international students except from the United Kingdom.
- Students with special needs.
- Students sitting for Malaysia University English Test (MUET), international and professional body.
Besides that, students in need of returning from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak campus are obliged to undergo a swab test that will be sponsored by the Ministry of Health.
Those students who arrived in Sarawak must be quarantined for 14 days before returning to campus. Cost of food and quarantine will be provided by the state government of Sarawak.
Furthermore, students in need of returning from Sabah and Sarawak to Peninsular Malaysia campus will be placed in isolation centres selected by their university authorities to ensure safety and health from COVID-19.
Other than regulations of higher education students movement stated above, all students are encouraged to abide by and follow the Sabah and Sarawak state governments on standard operating procedures that are currently operational.
Students can obtain further information on returning to institutions of higher education through Bilik Gerakan COVID-19 MOHE that are available 24 hours at 03-8870 6777/ 6949/ 6623/ 6628, official MOHE website, or direct line with their respective institutions of higher education. ***