BACK AFTER ONE YEAR, STUDENTS ARE HAPPY TO RETURN TO CAMPUS
UUM ONLINE: Following a year of remote learning in their respective hometowns, 3,568 returning and new students were expected to make their way back to campus in phases beginning yesterday.
Ms. Nur Alia Natasha Zakaria, a semester 3 student in the Bachelor of Operations Management programme, expressed her excitement at being able to return to campus for the first time after having to study remotely from home for more than a year (two semesters) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms. Nur Alia, who comes from Simpang Empat, Perlis, said she missed the campus atmosphere and decided to return, expressing confidence in the management of the university's commitment in adhering to all the set standard operating procedures (SOP).
“Aside from that, I opted to return to campus because I wanted to ensure that the learning sessions went smoothly because it was tough for me to have internet access at home.
"The amenities supplied at UUM are highly conducive, complete, and comfortable; in fact, I do not have to worry about internet connectivity disruption when attending online classes," stated the third child of five siblings.
Ms. Lee Mim Choi, a Semester 1 student of the Bachelor of Science (Industrial Statistics) degree, picked UUM as her university of choice to pursue her tertiary education after completing her Malaysian Higher School Certificate (STPM).
According to her, the delight of being accepted into UUM was multiplied when many of her classmates obtained offers from UUM despite having offered to study in different programmes.
She stated that she was looking forward to experiencing life as a university student and gaining new experiences with her friends.
"At the same time, I will continue to follow the set SOPs to ensure that I am protected from the COVID-19 infection while on campus.
"While there are concerns about returning to campus during this pandemic, if everyone adheres to the set SOPs and exercises additional caution, we can absolutely avoid any unpleasant incidences," said the lass from Butterworth, Penang.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Haim Hilman Abdullah, who is performing the duties of Vice-Chancellor, said that an estimated 800 students from the northern zone, including Kedah, Penang, and Perlis, returned to campus during the first phase, which began yesterday. On Saturday and Sunday, it will be followed by the central/southern zone and the east coast.
He expressed hope that students who returned to campus would follow the established SOPs, such as undergoing the Rapid Antigen Test (RTK-Ag) at their homes first, then undergoing a screening test again when they arrived at UUM; parents are not allowed to exit vehicles when sending their children, and students will be assisted by UUM staff and volunteers.
"The same goes for students who return by bus, where they will be subjected to a screening test before being transported to Student Residential Hall (INASIS) on the same vehicle if the test result is negative.
"For students from Sabah and Sarawak, as well as international students, UUM provides a bus service to pick them up at the airport or quarantine centre provided by the government before returning to UUM," he said yesterday at the UUM Islamic Center and INASIS Petronas, when reviewing the process of physically bringing students on campus.
According to Prof. Dr. Haim Hilman, the campus will see an increase in the number of students returning, and he expressed confidence that the university administration is prepared and will further streamline the admission process.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student and Alumni Affairs), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hendrik Lamsali, the Director of the University Risk Management Unit, Mr. Shahrul Nizam Ahmad, and the Director of UUM Corporate Communication, Mr. Mohd Fairus Abdul Majid, were also in attendance.