KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 — The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) today said that all university lectures must be conducted purely online, with no face-to-face lessons allowed, until December 31.

In a statement today, the ministry said that exceptions are, however, given to five academic categories involving students.

The first category involves post-graduate students who are in research mode in public and private universities, and have permission to continue their research immediately.

MOHE said that this relaxation, however, is only allowed to students who are required to attend physical laboratories, workshops and design studios or rely on specialised equipment to carry out their research.

Subject to the deadline of the conditional movement control order (CMCO), semester/final-year students doing postgraduate studies as well as Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree students who are required to carry out clinical work, practicals, laboratory work, workshops, work in design studios, or are in need of specialised equipment, are allowed to have "Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran” or PdP on their campuses, as early as July 1.

"Semester/final-year students who do not have the access required and are in an unconducive environment for PdP via online are allowed to return to campus as early as July 1, and utilise their on-campus infrastructure for the online PdP online.

"Students with special needs who participate in the Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) education programme at polytechnics and community colleges, and who need to get face-to-face guidance in order to access PdP due to learning difficulties, are allowed as early as August 1,” MOHE said.

The ministry also listed the admission dates in phases for new students, for the 2020/2021 academic year in all public and private institutions, polytechnics as well as community colleges, for the certificate, foundation and diploma levels for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) leavers, as well as the Bachelor’s Degree programme intake for Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) leavers and its equivalent:

a. Admission for certificate and diploma students in polytechnics and community colleges, as early as July 1, 2020.

b.Admission for foundation, certificate, diploma and Bachelor’s Degree students at Private Institutes of Higher Learning (IPTS) as early as July 1, 2020.

c. Admission for foundation and diploma students in public universities, as early as August 1, 2020.

d. Admission for undergraduate and postgraduate students for the research mode at public universities and IPTS, as early as October 1, 2020.