The Implementation of Final Examination and Teaching & Learning
1. The Covid-19 pandemic has engulfed and impacted the world including the UMP community. Thus, it is necessary for the UMP management to make decisions based on the latest development of the pandemic to ensure its academic activities meet the learning outcomes and the high standard quality.
2. Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 in our country, UMP has been very committed in complying with all the rules and regulations set by the Malaysian National Security Council (MKN) and the Ministry of Health (KKM) in an effort to break the chain of Covid-19. Since the Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented on 18 March 2020, UMP has taken several measures in accordance with the decisions by the government as follows:
a) UMP has rescheduled all teaching and learning (T&L) activities to a later date. Students were given welfare aid during the MCO period.
b) The Academic Calendar for Semester II and Short Semester, 2019/2020 academic session was amended in which the mid semester break was brought forward to ensure that students can graduate on time. During this period, the UMP academic staff had fully utilised the time to prepare T&L materials for online learning purposes in line with the new normal.
c) The T&L sessions for Semester II, 2019/2020 for the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes resumed on 1 June 2020 via online plat forms.
d) Based on the gradual approval from the MKN and the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MoHE), UMP has given permission for students who faced internet access problems, had special needs, and needed to be present in laboratories to return to campus. As a result, the affected students managed to continue their lab work and fulfil their academic requirements for graduation.
e) A gradual decrease in the Covid-19 new cases has prompted UMP to decide having a face-to-face final examination for Semester II and Short Semester, 2019/2020 Academic Session.
▪ The face-to-face final examination for Semester II, 2019/2020 Academic Session(Phase 1) was successfully implemented from 10 to 23 August 2020 as permitted by MoHE. There were a total of 3,734 students who sat for the final examinations in which 1,601 of them managed to graduate owing to the implementation of this phase.
▪ The face-to-face final examination for the diploma students in Semester 0, 2020/2021 Academic Session was successfully completed on 1 October 2020 as permitted by MoHE. A total of 816 students sat for the final examinations.
▪ The face-to-face final examination was also conducted for students in the academic collaboration programme between UMP and University of Applied Sciences (HsKA), Germany as required by the Council of the Engineering Deans in Germany. A total of 81 students sat for the final examinations.
3. The implementation of the face-to-face examinations was successful. Nevertheless, UMP needs to reassess the final examination and T&L implementation modes due to the recent spike in the Covid-19 cases in Malaysia. This is in line with the media statement by MoHE dated 2 October 2020 instructing the university managements to avoid physical/ face-to-face registration for the new and senior students. However, students who are already on campus can remain on campus. Consequently, the UMP Senate (Special) on 4 October 2020 decided on the following:
3.1 Final Examinations for Semester II (Phase 2) and Short Semester, 2019/2020 Academic Session
i) Final Examination for Semester II (Phase 2) and Short Semester, 2019/2020 Academic Session are conducted online.
ii) The administration of the online final examinations will be carried out by the individual lecturer teaching the course via KALAM or on other online platforms deemed appropriate by the lecturer.
iii) The dates for the final examinations for Semester II, 2019/2020 Academic Session (Phase 2) are postponed from 5-16 October 2020to 7-16 October 2020. The details of the changes are as follows:
- The courses scheduled for the examination on 5 October 2020 is postponed to 10 October 2020 (Saturday);
- The courses scheduled for the examination on 6 October 2020 is postponed to 11 October 2020 (Sunday);
- The courses scheduled for the examination from 7 October to 16 October 2020 remain the same as in the existing schedule.
iv) The dates for the final examinations for Semester II, 2019/2020 Academic Session (Phase 3) which are scheduled from 10 October to 30 October 2020 for students undergoing Industrial Training remain as they are.
v) The dates for the final examinations for Short Semester, 2019/2020 Academic Session which are scheduled from 12 October to 16 October 2020 remain as they are.
vi) In order to reduce the impact of anxiety and the risk of academic dishonesty cases, the weightage allocated for the final examinations is decreased from 40% to 20%, while the weightage for the coursework is increased from 60% to 80%. However, the Faculty Examination Committee may consider the changes in the weightage of the final examinations as deemed appropriate.
vii) The exemption for the implementation of online final examinations is given to the faculties/ Engineering College/ centres that obtain consent from students to sit for the final examinations face-to-face by adhering to the established Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The grading for this mode of examination remains as how it was previously set.
viii) Due to poor internet access at the DHUAM campus, Student Affairs and Alumni Department (JHEPA) will provide transportation between the hostel and UMP campus for the purpose of sitting for the final examinations.
ix) UMP may administer special examinations for students who face difficulty in sitting for the online examinations. However, this consideration must be supported by relevant documents/ evidence.
x) The University Senate would like to remind all parties to adhere to the examination rules and to uphold integrity at all times.
xi) Students can contact the Centre for Academic Management at 09-549 2550 (UMP Gambang Campus) and 09-424 5252 (UMP Pekan) for any enquiries regarding the final examinations. Students may also contact the administration office of their respective faculties/ Engineering College/ centres.
3.2 Teaching and Learning (T&L) Implementation, Semester I, 2020/2021 Academic Session
i) T&L sessions for the undergraduates and postgraduates by coursework will be conducted online beginning 19 October 2020.
ii) The respective faculties/ Engineering College/ centres will reschedule courses involving a 100% lab component in Semester I, 2020/2021 for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. These courses will be offered in Semester II, 2020/2021. Hence, for Semester I, 2020/2021 other suitable courses will be offered.
iii) The final semester students who have enrolled for a course involving a 100% lab component in Semester I, 2020/2021 will resume the lab activities after returning to the campus. However, this is subject to the announcement by MoHE pertaining to the physical presence on campus.
iv) Courses offered by Pusat Ko-Kurikulum will not be offered until students are given the permission by MoHE to return to the campus. Nevertheless, the final semester students are allowed to enroll in the courses in Semester I, 2020/2021 by signing the consent form and by providing the consent from parents/guardians. Students may contact Pusat Ko-Kurikulum for clarification.
v) Postgraduates by research who are in the midst of completing their research work should contact the respective faculties/ Engineering College/ centres for permission to work in the labs by complying to the established Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
4. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, the university hopes that everyone will play his/ her roles to ensure the effective delivery of academic activities and services is maintained. As we struggle through this difficult time, let us be patient with the challenge and have a strong faith in Allah SWT that He will keep us safe from the Covid-19 threat.
Released by:
Office of the Vice Chancellor
Universiti Malaysia Pahang
4 October 2020
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