In light of the worsening Covid-19 outbreak in our country, several higher education institutes in Malaysia have taken necessary measures in ensuring the safety of its academic staffs and enrolling students.
To provide continuous learning and teaching process outside the traditional classroom environment, numerous universities in Malaysia have came out with the initiative to hold their lecture sessions online. Check out the full list here:
1. Taylor’s University and College
Recently, Taylor’s has announced that online classes will be conducted starting 23rd March (Monday) up until 19th April (Sunday). The teaching and learning process will be conducted via their own platform called ReWIND, live streamed lectures on YouTube, as well as the Lightboard Video Technology.
2. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
According to Deputy Vice-Chancellor (academic & international) Professor Dr M. Iqbal Saripan, all scheduled classes and activities have been postponed as a result of the increasing outbreak. However, virtual classes will be held starting from today and will last until the whole week via PutraBlast for instance, allowing them to participate in the teaching and learning process direct from their hometown.
3. Universiti Malaya (UM)
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (academic & international) Professor Dr Kamila Ghazali said in a statement that all academic staff are strongly encouraged to activate e-learning for teaching and learning process by using SPeCTRUM (UM’s in-house e-learning platform) as well as other online T&L applications, such as Kahoot. No specific duration on how long the students result will undergo virtual classes.
4. Multimedia University (MMU)
As stated by Acting President/Vice President (Academic and Internationalisation) Prof. Dr. Ho Chin Kuan, all face-to-face classes will be replaced with online learning via its platform MMLS as well as other online modes of learning which are considered suitable by the lecturers starting from today (Monday, 16th March).
5. Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)
It’s recently announced that UiTM Melaka campus will be conducting online classes starting today (Monday, 16th March) as well. Rector Prof. Dr. Abd. Halim Md. Noor stated that all sessions will be held online except in studios, laboratories as well as workshops. Admin affairs will continue as usual.
In the meantime, UiTM Sarawak Rector Prof. Datuk Dr Jamil Hamali spoke to the local news outlet, “All students don’t have to attend classes. They only need to attend online lecture sessions. By doing this, students will feel safe and parents won’t have to worry after this.” In addition, student recruitment session as well as the planned convocation ceremony will be paused for the time being.
6. Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
As of today (Monday, 16th March), all lecture sessions are conducted online and it will continue until further notice. “It would not be too much of a problem since the university has been making use of using online lecture method to replace traditional classroom learning,” a UNIMAS academic told Berita Harian.
7. UCSI University
Based on the official notice above, starting from today (Monday, 16th March) until 31st March, all face-to-face lectures sessions will be replaced by online learning learning process via “all possible learning platforms” including Facebook Live, Course Network (CN) as well as other related teaching modes available online.
8. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
As of Sunday (15th March), all physical classes are suspended, as confirmed by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan. “The university, with expertise from the Centre for Development of Academic Excellence (CDAE), is implementing a larger-scale shift in teaching and learning to an online approach that minimises social interaction,” Prof. Dr. Faisal wrote on the post.
He further assured everyone by adding, “These changes will certainly raise many questions for educators and students. The dean of each school will communicate directly with all lecturers and students in making this change possible.”
9. Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)
UTHM has announced that they will shut its doors for the time being. This came after reports stated that one of its instructor was tested positive for Covid-19. Word has it that the lecturer took part in the tabligh mass gathering held at Masjid Seri Petaling.
The individual is currently receiving treatment at Hospital Permai, Johor Bahru. In response to that, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Dr. Wahid Razzaly informed that nearly 3000 affected staffs and students at the Pagoh campus were advised to conduct classes online until further notice.
