SHAH ALAM:Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) has decided to postpone physical admission of all new and existing students on campus for the October 2020/2021 academic session following the latest developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its Communications Department’s Public Relations, Media, Protocol and Event Management head Nora Noordin said that all students are also asked to continue their studies through open and distance learning starting Oct 12 until further notice.

“All activities scheduled to be held in the near future are temporarily postponed, including programmes which have received prior approval of the vice-chancellor or the Responsibility Centres’ (PTJ) heads.

“The postponement has been made for the safety, health and well-being of all university staff and students,” she said in a statement today.

She said that UiTM will continue to monitor the development of the COVID-19 pandemic and the latest information will be updated from time to time.

Early today, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) suggested that institutions of higher learning (IPTs) postpone physical registration of new and existing students on campus, which was scheduled to begin this month, following concerns over the increase in COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) also implemented the same steps, so students only need to register and follow the course online.

“The university management decided to temporarily postpone physical attendance of all students to the UTM in Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur campuses until the next announcement is issued. These students are scheduled to register on campus from Oct 10 to 11,” according the statement issued today.

The statement also said that induction week for new students will be conducted online.

UTM also provides a special allocation to help B40 students who need Internet assistance for the Semester 1 2020/2021 academic session.

In the meantime, in MELAKA, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) has also postponed the registration and physical admission of students for the 2020/2021 academic session following developments in the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

Its vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Raha Abdul Rahim, in a statement said that the postponement was in line with the media statement issued by MOHE today.

“To start the study process in this semester's session, the registration of new and existing students will be carried out online, while the teaching and learning process will also be implemented by the same method until further notice,” she said.

-- BERNAMA