Conducive environment and completing assignments among the factors to celebrate Hari Raya on campus

PEKAN, 6 May 2021 - The conducive environment on campus and busyness of completing assignments approaching next month’s exams has made some Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) students to stay and celebrate Aidilfitri on campus.
A student from the Faculty of Manufacturing and Mechatronics Engineering (FTKPM), Saiyidatul Marsyitah Aisyah Suhaime from Melaka said, this short break will be fully used for revision.
“It is quite risky to return to the village as the final exams are mostly conducted face to face.
“Besides, I still have other friends on campus.
“We will share cookies and biscuits sent by our parents because this is an experience and memory that I should have in the life of a student,” she said.
She also plans to connect via video call with her family after the Aidilfitri prayers.
She added that her parents, who are frontliners, also have to work on Hari Raya due to insufficient staff on public holidays.
Saiyidatul Marsyitah also advised friends who will return to the village to prioritise safety and health and always remember to practice self-control.
“Don’t be sad for us. Instead, seek wisdom in what happens because happiness must be sought and created,” she said.
Teh Darina Shahira Mohad Sekeri, a student from the Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology (FTKMA), said that since this semester, she is taking a course that requires lab activities and to avoid delayed work, she decided not to return home.
“Furthermore, Kuala Lumpur is under the Movement Control Order (MCO), and this puts me at risk, and I have to undergo isolation when I return to the campus,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Students’ Representative Council (MPP) welcomed the decision made by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and the National Security Council (NSC) to give permission for students of institutions of higher learning (IHL) on campus to return home to celebrate the Aidilfitri holiday this year.
According to the MPP President, Muhammad Hisyamuddin Abdul Aziz, this announcement brings cheer to the students to enable them to celebrate Aidilfitri with their loved ones, especially to students who have been on campus for a long time and have not returned to their homes.
“About 2,000 students have filled in the form to return to their homes for the Pekan and Gambang campuses by three modes of movement, namely by using their own vehicles, picked up by parents or using vehicles coordinated by the university.
“We thank the UMP management for their concern in assisting the management of students’ return to their hometowns to celebrate the Aidilfitri holiday,” he said.
He advised students who are going back to celebrate Hari Raya with their loved ones not to be complacent and careless and continue to adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs), practice social distancing and strict self-control such as washing hands regularly and wearing face masks wherever they are.
Students also need to ensure that they are always in good health and safe to return to campus to reduce the risk of infection on campus.
By: Mimi Rabita Abdul Wahit, Corporate Communications Unit, The Office of The Vice-Chancellor
Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology