THE Higher Education Ministry should engage with student associations before making any more decision involving their wellbeing in light of the enrolment fiasco that left hundreds stranded on campuses.

They don’t want the debacle repeated in the future as the Covid-19 cases continue to spike.

They also want an assurance that the university management will take care of stranded students’ wellbeing and needs.

Belia Harmoni president Usaid Asmadi said many students who arrived in Universiti Malaya were allowed to stay in residential colleges or told they could return home.

But for those who chose to stay, many faced other problems like where to go for meals as the cafeterias have yet to open.

“We are not clear, between the ministry and the university, who is responsible for the students. Regarding food, we don’t know if the cafes will be opened or if any arrangement has been made to provide meals.

“I have no updates from anyone. My hope is that their welfare is being attended to,” he said.

Many of them are still in the dark on the Higher Education Minister Noraini Ahmad’s position on the issue.

“Should the students stay in campus or when are they going back to universities? If there is no class until year-end, what will happen to our courses?”

Amanah Nasional media and information committee’s Muhammad Abrar Sadiq Azizi said the last-minute statement from the ministry caused confusion with the university management.

The Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) student said several students were not allowed into their residential college because of the statement.

“But after it went viral, UiTM decided that students were allowed in temporarily.”

He said the ministry must bear the responsibility, including the money spent by the students.

“The ministry and university management must play a role in overcoming the losses faced by students and families who come from various places.

“Loss of time and money proves that the decision is a decision that burdens many parties. Some have to repurchase bus tickets and plane tickets after being told to go back home.

“Hopefully, the ministry is ready to negotiate with stakeholders, such as bus and airline companies to help readjust the schedule to reduce the burden of those who came from far away, especially Sabah and Sarawak,” Abrar said.

The ministry should involve students’ bodies in future decisions involving them and not leave them in a lurch, he said.

This will help avoid future fiascos and ensure students know what is going on with their programmes.

‘Use social media to inform us’

Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung president (GPMS) Anas Mohd Alif Md Noor urged the student affairs division at every institution of higher learning to act quickly to help students.

“GPMS urges the university to accept all students who have arrived for registration and have chosen to stay on campus. The university must follow all the standard operating procedure set by the NSC (National Security Council) and Health Ministry, including screening and segregation according to the original locality of the student concerned.

“Issue immediate notification to all students either via email or social media on this matter and always communicate with them if there is any amendment to the procedure.”

The anger from students came after the ministry made a last-minute change to move classes and registration online following a surge in Covid-19 cases in the country.

Thousands of students were caught off-guard as they were on the way to their campuses to begin a new semester with many demanding on social media Noraini quit her position.

Following the backlash, Noraini yesterday asked students who have arrived at campuses to remain there until further notice and advised others to postpone their travel plans. 

She said the ministry only suggested the suspension of registration following the spike in Covid-19 cases in the country.

The responsibility lies with the institutions of higher learning in line with the government’s policy of granting autonomy to the management. 

Mohamad Syazwi Naufal Mohamad Nadzir said he should be registering on October 11 at UiTM Dengkil, Selangor.

“My mother is a single mother, we plan to take a bus from Kedah to Selangor and later, my aunt will take us to register on campus.

“So, my family and I booked bus tickets amounting to RM350 and the hotel was almost RM300. Bus tickets are non-refundable, fortunately the hotel was willing to return the money,” said the Kedah student.

said the last-minute decision not only affects students financially but disrupts their mental preparation, too.

“Many students have made initial preparations in terms of transportation and accommodation. The ministry’s statement only ‘suggested’ it as if it is handing over the responsibility to the university.

“And more importantly, why not make an early decision? Everyone knows October is the month of registration, at least inform us in advance so that students are ready.” – October 4, 2020.