Higher Education Ministry: Students allowed back on campuses in limited numbers from March 1

A file picture of the main entrance of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) in Kedah, which was closed due to Covid-19.

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The National Security Council has agreed to allow six categories of students of higher learning institutions to return to their respective campuses beginning March 1.

The Higher Education Ministry said these six categories include certificate, diploma, bachelor’s degree and postgraduate students who need to conduct clinical work and practicals requiring laboratories, workshops, design studios and special equipment.

Also allowed are students who do not have access and without a conducive environment to undergo teaching and learning (PdP) online; existing and new international students except those from the United Kingdom; disabled students, and students taking the Malaysia University English Test and international as well as professional examinations.

"Pre-universities and diploma students who have been staying in-campus can continue their teaching and learning sessions on a hybrid basis.

"Students who are not in these categories will continue their PdP online,” it said in a statement Sunday (Jan 31).

Meanwhile, students from the peninsula who are allowed to return to campuses in Sabah and Sarawak must undergo swab tests and the cost will be borne by the Health Ministry.

"For students who arrive in Sarawak, they are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine before being allowed to return to their campus,” it said.

Students from Sabah and Sarawak will be placed in their respective designated isolation centres to ensure they are free from Covid-19.

Further information on the student admission can be obtained by contacting the ministry's Covid-19 operations room which is open 24 hours at 03-8870 6777/6949/6623/6124, or visiting its website or contacting the respective universities. - Bernama