By Nik Nayly
GOMBAK, 29 December 2021: A total of 79 students of the AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (AHAS KIRKHS), including 16 communication students, have been affected by the massive floods that hit several states in Peninsular Malaysia recently.
Out of 79, four were severely affected by the incident with their houses being fully flooded, followed by 11 students who were stranded, and 29 students with damaged devices and computers.
Apart from the damage caused to their devices and computers, some students also faced electricity disruption which had affected them to attend virtual classes or to contact their lecturers.
“There were also cases of students who were completely unreachable due to the circumstances faced, but their concerns were slowly alleviated as electricity supply was later restored,” President of IRKHS Students’ Society, Muhammad Faris Bin Jafri said.
It is therefore important for all students to acknowledge their group mates who were not contactable to notify lecturers about their absence, Muhammad Faris stressed.
Besides that, there were also family members of students who were badly affected by the flood, hence they were unable to participate in class activities because they were concerned with helping their families first.
Even though the flood had later receded, it was still a long way to get their houses fully cleaned as their houses were badly affected.
“I don’t think it is feasible for affected students to participate in any academic matter or classes with regards to their situation,” Muhammad Faris said.
He called on lecturers to give attendance leniency and allow for the postponement of deadlines for submission of assignments for affected students and the student volunteers.
Synchronous classes can be held, he said, but it is imperative for lecturers to record the class sessions so that involved students would not miss out on their classes.
The President of KIRKHS Students’ Society remarked that he believed “what is currently lacking from the announcement made by the university is the centralised academic policy specifically for student volunteers”.
While there were many AHAS KIRKHS students who would like to volunteer to assist the flood victims, there were uncertainties and a lot of concerns about their academic-related matters, such as their class attendance and assessments, he added.
“Despite our limitations, I like to call on all students to take part in helping to alleviate the problems faced by flood victims in whatever capacity they are in. Do volunteer, donate or reach out with regards to their academic matters as well,” Muhammad Faris further said.
IIUM Rector, Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, in his special remarks on the IIUM flood relief initiative on 21 December, had also encouraged the IIUM community to volunteer in humanitarian aid missions for flood victims.
He reminded affected students to not hesitate in contacting the university and respective Kulliyyah if there is any assistance needed on to their academic matters.
Students who are interested in volunteering and willing to help those affected by the flood crisis may join the AHAS KIRKHS Volunteers Telegram channel for further updates on upcoming volunteering efforts by the Kulliyyah: https://t.me/+vhdvHdsV_scxYjg1 ***