KUALA LUMPUR – Several heads of higher education institutions (IPTs) are confident that no Covid-19 clusters will emerge when they reopen in stages starting October 15.
“Over the last 18 months, IPTs have grown familiar with all the protocols necessary in managing a safe environment and are determined to ensure no clusters emerge,” said Datuk Paramjit Singh, president of Malaysian Association of Private Colleges and Universities and chief executive officer of Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation.
Universiti Malaya senior education lecturer and clinical consultant Dr Madhyazhagan Ganesan said that universities will have to ensure that all students are fully vaccinated and that hostels, libraries, and even counselling rooms adhere to the necessary protocols to ensure the safety and health of all students.
“Students need to be informed of safety protocols before they arrive on campus to ensure their adherence to them.
“The reopening of campuses will allow clinical students and interns to be on campus as they require close supervision,” he said.
On Tuesday, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad said IPTs will reopen in stages starting October 15.
This involves all categories of IPT students who are fully vaccinated, in all phases of the National Recovery Plan, with priority to be given to students in need.
“This decision was made during a discussion session with the National Security Council and Health Ministry, as well as IPT management involving vice-chancellors, deputy vice-chancellors, private IPTs, and representatives from student councils and student unions/associations,” Noraini said during the announcement of the updated standard operating procedures (SOPs) for varsities.
Tassim Zainal, an executive member of non-governmental organisation Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung, said that the reopening of IPTs was a good decision to prevent students from dropping out.
“But SOPs need to be put in place and all fully vaccinated students must comply with them while on campus,” he said.
He also suggested that a reasonable period be set for students to return, so those in the B40 category are not overly burdened by travel costs.
“IPTs must be ready and prepared for the reentry of students, with adequate facilities and assistance to perform Covid-19 screening tests on campus so no extra costs are incurred by returning students,” said Tassim.
He also lauded the ministry’s decision to provide a 20% deduction in student fees for those in Semester 1 of the 2020/2021 academic year, as this would reduce their financial burden.
Malaysian Youth Council president Jufitri Joha welcomed the move for face-to-face learning as many students have been left behind due to the movement control order.
“Many are on the verge of giving up as a result of stress and the challenges of the economy, so a discount of 20% offered by the ministry will assist students greatly.
“However, they need to be given more time to settle their fees,” he said, adding that the government should prioritise vaccinating students so that they can return to campus.
He also believed that hybrid learning may currently be the best solution and can be replaced with total face-to-face learning once herd immunity is achieved next year.
“Hybrid learning, the mixture of face-to-face and virtual learning, is still a useful form of learning and should be the first choice for students who may fall sick or need to look after sick family members.
“Covid-19 has been a game-changer that has familiarised us with learning the hybrid way,” he said.
The higher education minister had prior to this said that hybrid learning will continue even when campuses resume learning.
“For courses or programmes conducted online, students can choose to learn online in their respective localities,” said Noraini.
She also announced that 66% of students and 90% of academic and non-academic staff at IPTs were vaccinated and steps were being taken to ensure the rest would be vaccinated by October 15.
“Those returning to campuses in Peninsular Malaysia only require letters of permission from their respective IPTs, while IPTs in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan are subject to the SOPs enforced by their respective state governments.
“Students must obtain police permits to cross states or districts and undergo the RT-PCR swab test.”
Noraini said that for international students seeking to enter Malaysia, permission would be given to students from the United Kingdom, those under the mobility and edutourism programmes, as well as their legal dependents.
She added that all international students must be fully vaccinated and be registered with Education Malaysia Global Services before they can enter the country.
“They must also take Covid-19 RT-PCR tests three days prior to entering Malaysia and undergo health screenings and quarantine at the designated locations upon arrival in Malaysia,” she said. – The Vibes, September 19, 2021
