KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 : The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) today said that all university lectures must be conducted purely online, with no face-to-face lessons allowed, until December 31.

In a statement issued on 27 May, the ministry said that there will be no face-to-face teaching and learning (PdP) as the COVID-19 pandemic continues on.

The ministry said that exceptions are, however, given to five categories of students to physically return to campus, where they will return gradually/in stages and be allowed to resume PdP activities.

The five categories are:

I. Research-based postgraduate students of both public (IPTA) and private higher learning institutions (IPTS). They can come in and continue their research with immediate effect. This flexibility is given only to students who need to be physically present at laboratories, workshops, and design studios, or require specialised equipment to conduct their research.

II. Final year students, or those in their final semester of certificate, diploma and bachelor’s degree who are involved in clinical work, practical training, workshop, laboratory, design studio, practical work or rely on specialised equipment. They are allowed to resume PdP activities on campus from 1st July onwards.

III. Final year students, or those in their final semester who do not have access or a conducive environment for online learning. They can return to campus from 1st July to utilise campus infrastructure and facilities for their online PdP.

IV. Students with special needs in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes at polytechnics and community colleges who require in-person assistance/face-to-face guidance due to learning difficulties will be allowed to return as early as 1st August.

V. All new intake students of the 2020/2021 academic year at all public and private universities (IPTA and IPTS), polytechnics, and community colleges for certificate, foundation, diploma, and bachelor's degrees will be allowed back to campus in stages as follows:

• Certificate and diploma-level students at polytechnics and community colleges beginning 1st July.
• Foundation, certificate, diploma, and bachelor's degree students in private universities beginning 1st July.
• Foundation and diploma students in public universities beginning 1st August.
• Bachelor's degree and research-mode postgraduate students in public and private universities beginning 1st October.

The respective dates for students in categories II–V to return to campus will be subjected to the final date of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).

The MOHE cautioned that all academic activities which are to resume in campuses must adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOP) which have been set by the authorities.

“The institutions should prioritise safety measures as well as social distancing. These regulations are subject to the orders by the authorities from time-to-time,” it said.

Resources : Kenyataan Media KPT, Pengendalian Aktiviti Akademik di Kampus Institusi Pendidikan Tinggi Semasa dan Pasca Perintah Kawalan Pergerakkan 

Date of Input: 09/06/2020 | Updated: 06/08/2020 | aslamiah