Varsity students allowed back on campus to adapt to learning environment, says ministry

PETALING JAYA: Tertiary students are being allowed back to their institutions because it gives them the chance to get to know and adapt to learning and life on campus.

The Higher Education Ministry said the decision was also made to give flexibility to higher education institutions (HEIs) in determining the appropriate learning modes for students.

It also said online or hybrid teaching and learning are allowed and can be determined by the individual HEIs.

Students returning to campus are required to continue practicing physical distancing and maintain personal hygiene.

The ministry said all sports and recreational activities must follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the Health Ministry.

“HEIs are reminded to have enough capacity to accommodate the number of students physically present (on campus) and always adhere to strict teaching and learning SOPs,” it said in a statement on Thursday (Feb 10).

“The ministry will ensure the admission of students to campuses, whether local or international, starting in March, runs smoothly,” it added.

For further information, students and parents can contact the ministry’s Covid-19 Operations Room 24-hour hotline at 03-88706777/6949/6623/6628, visit the websites of the respective HEIs or by contacting the coordinating officer of the institution concerned.

On Wednesday (Feb 9), Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said students of HEIs such as public universities, polytechnic, community colleges and private education institutions will be allowed to return to their campuses in phases, starting March 1.

He said the decision was made at the Covid-19 Quartet Ministers’ Meeting on Tuesday (Feb 8) following a proposal from the Higher Education Ministry.

HEIS would be allowed to accept students at 70%-100% capacity.

Students and staff who have been fully or partially vaccinated were allowed to be on campus.

"However, those who have not been fully vaccinated, will have to undergo RT-PCR tests and the result must be negative three days prior to entering the campus," he said.

Those who were not fully vaccinated would be required to take weekly Covid-19 tests using rapid test kits.

As for existing and new international students, only those who had been fully vaccinated would be allowed entry into Malaysia.

They would, however, be subjected to a seven-day quarantine, while the quarantine period for those who had received booster shots was five days.