KUALA LUMPUR – Only fully vaccinated students are allowed back on university campuses for hybrid lessons, while those who have received only one dose, or none at all, must continue their classes online, said Datuk Noraini Ahmad.
Speaking to Utusan Malaysia, the higher education minister said the ministry has found that more than 195,000 public university students have not registered for the Covid-19 jab, outnumbering the figure for private varsity students (51,000 individuals, or 10.2%).
The policy applies to all public varsities, polytechnics and community colleges, and those stated in the National Security Council standard operating procedures, she said.
“Some 37.5% of public university students do not have vaccination records, according to the ministry. We will hold campaigns to encourage students to get vaccined so that campuses are a safe environment for all.”
She said she has ordered varsities to prepare data on students’ vaccination status as soon as possible.
The ministry discussed the matter with Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin last week.
“Alhamdulillah, the government agreed that university students who haven’t gotten their jabs can do so on a walk-in basis at any vaccination centre (PPV),” said Noraini.
“Students need to show their matric cards, while new students must bring their admission or offer letters to the PPVs.”
According to data released by the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force, 547,595 public and private varsity students have completed their vaccination. – The Vibes, September 12, 2021
