UNIVERSITIES STUDENTS - JOURNEY HOME DURING MCO | Assc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Pauziah Muhamad @ UTMAssc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Pauziah Muhamad @ UTM

UNIVERSITIES have prepared the necessary action plans to help stranded students get back to their hometowns. Proper SOP must be established to arrange for buses and flights that will ferry the students to their respective drop-off points. A tight schedule for the movement has been established and the university has conducted a survey among the students on important information such as the destination and appropriate mode of movement. Movement guidelines have also been prepared to ensure that movement proposals are in full compliance with any decision made by the authorities. All of us will fall in line to ensure that the welfare, well-being and safety of the students are maintained.

The students have been staying at their residential colleges located within each respective campus for almost five weeks, which is two cycles (of 14-days quarantine). As far as the decision to go back or continue to stay on campus, there are factors being considered by students like – Internet connectivity, the situation back home, the safety of their families and etc., coordination is very crucial because there are so many things involved, including conditions and approval from relevant authorities that need to be considered and complied with before the students safely arrive to their families. Representative from each family would be present at identified police district headquarters to pick up the students or student who would not be picked up by their family members upon arrival, government agency representatives would send them home.

Finally on 27 April 2020 UTMKL has made its first trip to northern states in 3 buses that had been disinfected. In UTMKL from 27 April to 20 May 2020, HEPKL has organised 11 trips involving 284 students. This included Sabahan and Sarawakian students :-).

Thank you to all as task involving multiple agencies and partners working in collaboration in ensuring the safe return of the students to their loved ones…LOVE you ALL