The Ministry for Higher Education in Malaysia announced on 27 May, that all teaching and learning programmes in universities will be delivered online till the end of 2020. 

The Ministry announced that while all teaching will be conducted online, there will be exceptions for five categories of students. These students will be allowed to gradually return to campuses for pre-defined projects and tasks. The five categories of students will be allowed to return to campuses as per a structured plan subject to when the conditional movement control order is lifted by the government in Malaysia. However, this ruling will be applicable with immediate effect for one category of students: postgraduate students involved in research work.

The five categories of students are:

1. Post graduate students involved in research at public and private institutions requiring access to laboratories, special equipment and facilities for their research - with immediate effect
2. Students in the final year or final semester at diploma, certificate or bachelor’s programmes requiring access to practical work facilities, laboratories, studios or special equipment may access campus facilities from 1 July
3. Students in the final year or final semester requiring access to online study methods and infrastructure can return to campuses from 1 July
4. Students with special needs enrolled in programmes under TVET at polytechnics and community colleges requiring face-to-face learning platforms can resume studies on 1 August
5. All new students enrolled for the 2020/21 academic session at all public universities, private institutions, polytechnic and community colleges for the certificate, foundation and diploma programmes - each subgroup of students joining at different levels will have access to campus facilities as per an announced schedule starting from 1 July

The Ministry of Higher Education has defined a set of standard operating procedures that all education institutions must adhere to. These procedures will be subject to regular revisions and updates based on how the Covid-19 situation evolves in the country.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/05/595758/university-lectures-go-online-until-dec-31-except-5-groups

And https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/05/27/higher-education-ministry-all-university-lectures-to-be-online-only-until-e/1869975

Commentary by Saman Imtiaz, Head of International Education Services for Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore

Malaysia has been under a strict restricted Movement Control Order (MCO) since 17 March that was later converted to the Conditional Movement Order from 4 May to allow conditional relaxation for businesses; this is an initiative to contain the impact of Covid-19 on the Malaysian economy. While businesses start to re-open with strict social distancing measures in place, the education sector is now preparing to re-open for students and resumption of regular classes.

For students who have been in lock-down for months now, the announcement and direction shared by the Ministry of Education is a welcome announcement. While all teaching at institutions of higher learning will be conducted online, the announcement and the exceptions announced for the five categories of students are a strong indication of moves towards the ‘new normal’.  There are many articles and insights available online about how students are coping with having to learn and interact with teachers online. At the same time, faculty and teachers are also faced with their own set of challenges to ensure quality, equal and inclusive learning for the students in their care. As both students and faculty devise their own methods of coping and meeting the demands placed on them, the announcement of a structured re-opening will provide relief and assurance. Many students and parents will be relieved to have a solution and direction. The gradual and staggered move to allow students back on campus for practical or laboratory work will provide campus administration teams to plan, review and cater for requirements that will come up for the first time in this new environment.

This may bring about revisions to the plan, or further changes for educational institutions may be announced, yes, but it is also an essential step to support students as they navigate and adjust to the new post Covid-19 learning environments and practices.