SERDANG – 22 February 2021, The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) is concerned and aware of the importance of ensuring that the needs of students' education programmers of higher learning institutions are properly running despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Based on the results and efforts of the engagement session, The Malaysian National Security Council (NSC) has agreed to allow six (6) categories of students to return to the campus physically as early as 4 March 2021 to pursue hybrid teaching and learning on physical and online. Six categories of students who are allowed to return to UPM campus are as follows:

    Students from certificate-level study programmes, Diplomas, Bachelors and Postgraduates who need practical, laboratory, clinical, charitable training, studios, workshops and special equipment.

1. Students who do not have access and unconducive environment to implement the existing online learning.
2. Undergraduate or students from the Centre of Foundation Studies for Agricultural Science, and existing Diploma students on campus can continue hybrid learning.
3. All existing and new international students except from the United Kingdom.
4. Students with special needs (Students with disabilities)
5. Students sitting for the Malaysia University English Test (MUET) examination, international and professional bodies.

    UPM prescribing that students who have been granted permission by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) or Dean of the Faculty to undergo hybrid teaching and learning inside the campus are allowed to come to the campus.

Students with the need from West Malaysia who will return to Bintulu campus in Sarawak are required to undergo a swab test to be funded by The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). They are obliged to undergo quarantine for 14 days before being allowed to return to campus. The cost for food and quarantine from March 2021 will be borne solely by the Sarawak State Government.

    For students with the needs of West Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, they will be placed in an isolation centre based in the covid operation centre to ensure free from any symptoms of COVID-19. In addition, before entering the residential college area, students and escorts are required to make a Risk Assessment of UPM COVID-19 Infection. Thus, in order to avoid overcrowding, the student enrolment process will be held in stages and by zone.

    Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student and Alumni Affairs) Prof Dr. Arifin Abdu also pointed out that each student is required to comply with this prescribed procedure as well as instructions from staff from time to time in order to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. UPM promises strict SOP control and smoothness during student admission to campus areas.

Date of Input: 02/03/2021 | Updated: 02/03/2021 | adidi