All universities in Malaysia, both public and private, are planning to allow students to return to campus in October for the 2021/2022 academic session. Universities and students alike look forward to returning to campuses for teaching and learning activities to be carried out. However, they are obliged to comply with the latest guidance by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) for the safe reopening of university campuses.
Under the IPT Recovery Plan (PEMULIH IPT) strict SOPs will have to be adhered to by the universities and also the students. The number of students allowed to go back will depend on each university’s capacity according to the SOPs it has to adhere to. Those who are unable to return to their campuses due to various reasons can choose to attend online and hybrid lessons from their current localities.
Hybrid learning for ‘in-person and online courses’ will be carried out. Students have the freedom to choose what works best for them. Lab, workshop, studio and research activities will be carried out in groups according to SOPs stipulated.
All institutes of higher learning will have isolation rooms for positive cases of Covid-19 detected. These institutes are advised to supply self-test kits to students upon their return
Campus classes will resume in stages from October 15 for students and staff who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 with an observation period of 2 weeks after the second dose. To facilitate the safe reopening, university students and staff will be given priority to get their Covid-19 jabs at their respective localities. Students who have yet to receive their vaccination doses are advised to do so at any walk-in vaccination centre. Students who cannot be vaccinated due to health reasons should contact their respective universities for coordination.
MOHE projects that by the end of October, 100% of university staff and students who are registered with MySejahtera would have received both doses of their vaccinations.
University students need to obtain permits from the police and permission or offer letters from their respective institutions to travel to their campus. They must undergo the RT/PCR swab test at their own cost. Those wanting to return to campuses in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan would be subjected to SOPs of the respective state governments.
Students can opt to travel back to campus in private vehicles of their family members who must also have been fully vaccinated. They can also carpool with fully immunised individuals or travel back by air. Those who have transport problems getting back to campus are advised to contact their universities for assistance.
All public university students will be given a 20% discount on fees for the 2021/2022 Semester One session.
3 categories of international students are also allowed to return. They are:
- students who are UK citizens.
- students pursuing Mobility and Edu-tourism courses.
- students who wish to relocate to Malaysia with their families.
International students need to undergo
- an RT/PCR swab test 3 days before entering Malaysia
- a health screening and quarantine at designated isolation centres upon arrival
International students must register themselves with the Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) before they are issued with permission to travel here by the Immigration Department.
All universities must adhere strictly to the guidelines provided by the MOHE while some universities may come up with an additional set of regulations of their own. Nothing is too much trouble to ensure everyone’s safety!