KUALA LUMPUR: Tertiary students will be allowed to return to campus in phases starting this month.
Higher Education minister Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad in making the announcement said four categories of students can resume in-person classes beginning this month while all other remaining students will return in October.
In a special televised address, Noraini said the four categories include 30 per cent of local students in private higher education institutions; first to fourth-year public university students who need clinical or practical training, workshop, laboratory, studio or special equipment and those who need to sit for professional board examinations.
The other two categories also include first to fourth-year university students who do not have access to internet or a conducive learning environment; and international students from both public and private institutions, including new students.
"Private and public institutions are given flexibility to determine suitable learning modes, including online teaching and learning activities for students, based on their programmes.
"To ensure that this will run smoothly, higher education institutions are urged to make necessary preparations starting now," she said, explaining that the Cabinet had agreed for all students to eventually return to campuses by October.
Noraini reminded students who would be returning to campus to continue practicing social distancing and personal hygiene.
Student activities would be allowed, she said, with no more than 250 people depending on the size of the area and after taking into account social distancing measures.
She said all sporting and recreational activities must adhere to the standard operating procedures issued by the Youth and Sports Ministry and the National Security Council.
On the intake of international students, Noraini said these students must register with Education Malaysia Global Services before being allowed to enter the country.
"They must undergo Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) or the Antigen Rapid Test Kit three days before entering Malaysia.
"They must also be screened by the Health Ministry and undergo 14-day quarantine at locations set by their respective learning institutions."