KUALA LUMPUR – The resumption of in-person classes for tertiary institutions will take place in stages starting October 15 for fully vaccinated students, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad.
She told a press conference today that the admission of fully vaccinated students to higher learning institutions involves all student categories and all phases in the National Recovery Plan (NRP), where priority is given to students with different educational needs.
“The admission process for these students will use the standard operating procedure (SOP) of the Higher Education Sector: Operation of IPT.
“The presence of IPT staff who have been fully vaccinated will form a safe social community as well as create a Phase 4 NRP environment in the campus.
“Therefore, strict SOPs need to be practised to manage movement in and out (of the campus).
“I would like to inform you that only students, academic staff and non-academic staff who have received both Covid-19 vaccine doses and have passed the efficacy period are allowed to enter the campus. This is subject to the capacity of the IPT, in compliance with set SOPs,” she said.
As for students who cannot be vaccinated due to health reasons, they are to contact their respective institutions for coordination.
Noraini said the ministry is aware that the admission of students will involve the movement of a large number of students and concerns for the safety and health of the students may arise.
“Therefore, the ministry has set the process to be implemented in stages beginning October 15, according to the academic calendar of the respective education institutions.
“The higher learning institutions will have to plan carefully to identify the students, determine the movement schedule and to ensure that members of the institutions go through a rigorous health screening process.”
For tertiary education institutions, she said students will only need a letter of permission to return to campus from the said varsity.
As for IPTs in Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan, they are subject to SOPs enforced by the respective state governments.
“Students need to obtain a permission letter from the police to travel inter-district or interstate and undergo a RT-PCR swab test.
“Taking into consideration the cost that has to be borne by students, these tests will be provided free of charge at government health clinics.”
Noraini, who is also Parit Sulong MP, said an isolation centre must be provided in each institution to manage symptomatic Covid-19 cases.
The institutions are also encouraged to provide Covid-19 self-test kits to students who return to campus.
On the admission of international students, she said those from the United Kingdom, those pursuing mobility and edutourism programmes, and legal dependents who wish to bring their families into the country are given permission to enter Malaysia.
“For international students who are fully vaccinated, they need to register with Education Malaysia Global Services before being given permission to enter Malaysia from the Immigration Department.
“A Covid-19 RT-PCR swab test needs to be conducted three days before a student enters Malaysia. Upon arrival, students will undergo health screening and quarantine at designated locations.” – The Vibes, September 14, 2021
