Academic session is around the corner, UMP students are excited to return to campus

PEKAN, 5 October 2021 - Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) students will return to the campus in stages starting 15 October following the announcement on the operation of higher education institutions (HEIs) by the Minister of Higher Education, Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad recently.

UMP students gave a positive reaction and they were excited to return to the campus.

In view of the possibility of a different situation with the new norms and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOP) on campus, Agha Khilfi Suarno, 23, the Secretary of the Student Development Department of the Students’ Representative Council (MPP), said that he and UMP students appreciated the recommendation of the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) to allow students to return in stages.

He said it is good news for students with special needs, including students who need to complete tasks in the laboratory and students who have internet problems.

“Indirectly, it can facilitate the academic journey as planned.

“At the same time, it is indeed a moment awaited by Year 2 students who have never set foot on campus and to experience the campus atmosphere, and there are definitely those who miss campus life with friends.

“I am confident that there are some students who face challenges in learning sessions at home, especially internet problems, noisy neighbourhoods, and lack of focus during classes as well as other responsibilities at home,” he said.  
According to Kong Heng Leong, 25, a Bachelor of Industrial Biotechnology student, Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology (FSTI), students cannot return to the campus until they complete vaccination and pass the 14-day effectiveness period after the second dose.

He is also the Chairman of the Welfare and Off-Campus Committee in Gambang, and he believes that many parents are worried about the wellbeing of their children who will return to campus as they will be exposed to the risk of infection among students.

Therefore, he reminded his friends who will return to the campus later to abide by the rules and SOP.
“Only students with the Letter of Permission to Enter the Campus and listed in Sistem Kembali ke Kampus are allowed to return to the campus.

“Students also need to return to the campus according to the selected time slot to ensure the process runs smoothly,” he said.

Meanwhile, for Saidatul Marsyitah Aisyah Suhaime, 21, the Chairman of the UMP MPP Service Complaints Committee, she will be delighted when her friends return to the campus.

She chose to stay on campus during the semester break to focus on studying during the short semester.

She said she missed he family, but she felt it was worth it to sacrifice a little to complete her tasks.

“We can study together on campus. Moreover, I am in the dual degree programme and the engineering courses are in German,” she said, who is eager for the new semester to begin.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, who performs the function of the Vice-Chancellor of UMP, reminded that only students who have completed the vaccination will return to campus in stages.

“It is expected that 5,000 students of several categories will be allowed to return to the university physically to undergo hybrid teaching and learning (T&L) activities (online and face to face) starting 11 October to start the new semester.

“The university is striving to create a safe campus bubble so that the spread of COVID-19 can be curbed,” he said.

“UMP has also developed a strategic approach to reduce the influx of COVID-19 infection from outside the campus and limit its spread when there is an infection on campus,” he said.

Currently, the Student Affairs Department (JHEP), in collaboration with the Academic & International Affairs Department (JHEAA), University Health Centre (PKU) and the Security Division (BKES), is coordinating final preparation to ensure the smooth return of students into the campus.

By: Nor Salwana Mohammad Idris, Corporate Communications Unit, The Office of The Vice-Chancellor
Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology