PENANG, 8 May 2021 - In line with the decision made by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) to allow students from higher learning institutions (IPT) to go home to celebrate hari raya with their families, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has started sending home more than 2,700 students from all its three campuses to several states starting today.

However, the exodus of USM students which would take two days (May 8 and 9), would require the students and those involved to comply with the strict standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the National Security Council (MKN), Ministry of Health and MoHE.

Among them, as stipulated by the MoHE in its recent statement, students are not allowed to use public transportation to travel home and are only allowed to do so using their own vehicles, their parents’ vehicle, transportation arranged by the University (with the cost borne by the students) or by flight.

USM through its Division of Student Development Affairs and Alumni (BHEPA) has made arrangements for 14 buses including five USM buses and several chartered buses to ferry the students back to their hometowns.

Several state associations, foundations and societies also came forward and helped out in the transportation arrangement, while the COVID-19 Fund allocation was used to sponsor all Touch ‘n Go cards used by the USM buses.

BHEPA has also issued letters of consent to travel across state boundaries/districts to students, parents or guardians who are using their own vehicles.

Meanwhile, for students who chose to stay behind on campus during the festive season, they will be taken care of by the University management and the Desasiswa (hostel) administration committee.

The Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) had earlier announced that over 100,000 IPT students who are now at their respective campuses will be allowed to go home for Hari Raya Aidilfitri except those from Sarawak.

The movement of students is fixed from May 7 to 12 to travel from campuses to their respective homes, while the return journey to the campuses is from May 15 to 20.

The same applies to students who are undergoing industrial training (practical) in following the same standard operating procedure (SOP) as they are categorised as students continuing their studies at campus.

The University is also in the midst of fine-tuning the guidelines and SOPs for students who will be returning to campus from their Hari Raya break, which includes having to undergo isolation on campus or at their respective accommodations as well as the PCR or RTK-Ag screening for those returning from high-risk areas.

In the meantime, the University hoped that the students would use the opportunity to have a meaningful Raya celebration with their families and stay safe by complying with the stipulated SOPs.

The detailed SOPs can be found at: www.mohe.gov.my/en/hebahan/pengumuman/sop-sektor-pengajian-tinggi-pergerakan-pelajar-ipt-sempena-cuti-perayaan-aidilfitri.

Students can also refer to the latest announcements issued by the USM Nerve Centre via USM social media platforms and website.

Text: Tan Ewe Hoe/Photo: Ebrahim Abdul Manan