UUM IS READY TO WELCOME BACK STUDENTS TO CAMPUS THIS OCTOBER

UUM ONLINE: The management of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) is preparing for the physical admission of its students for the 2021/2022 Academic Session through the Higher Education Institution Recovery Plan (PEMULIH IPT) in all phases beginning this October, as announced recently by Higher Education Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad.

According to her, the move was made through the IHE Recovery Plan (PEMULIH IPT), and it was in keeping with the effort to allow students to return to IHE once they were fully vaccinated, as announced by the Right Honourable Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in his special message on 22 August as agreed in the National Security Council (NSC) Special Session.

Health Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin agreed to help make this agenda a success by recommending that IHE students and staff be given priority in getting vaccinated in their respective areas first.

To realise the agenda of students returning to UUM campus, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) who is performing the duties of the Vice-Chancellor of UUM, Prof. Dr. Haim Hilman Abdullah stated that the university management was in the final stages of preparing complete guidelines for student admission with the involvement of all departments, namely the Department of Academic Affairs, Department of Development and Maintenance, Department of Student Affairs (JHEP), Security Department and UUM Information Technology (UUMIT).

“We also expect that all students who return to campus fulfil the full vaccine requirements and pass the vaccination maturity period first, while those who have not received it can contact the COVID-19 Task Force (CITF) to be vaccinated by walk-in at nearby PPV,” he said when met herewith.

Prof. Dr. Haim Hilman went on to say that the institution was also aiming to provide the best internet facilities for students to use while studying with their lecturers later.

Meanwhile, counselling services and the provision of support tools for those in need were prioritised so that the learning process could go smoothly.

Experience gained during the online learning process prior to this can certainly provide guidance so that better services can be provided later because most Malaysian universities, both public and private, have no choice but to use virtual teaching and learning methods to ensure the teaching syllabus is delivered as well as possible and learning sessions are not postponed.

According to him, students who do not return to campus will still receive attention, and they can contact the institution for any assistance or information during their studies.

This was in keeping with the MOHE's desire to ensure that the learning process could be provided to the students despite the fact that the country and the world were still in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also stated that parents or guardians should not be concerned about their children's safety because the admissions process will be carried out in accordance with strict standard operating procedures (SOP).

"The return of students to this campus will adhere to the directives that will be issued by the MOHE later, including the manner of transporting students from home, mental health management, student welfare, and others through the announcement that will be made tomorrow," he stated.