UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA
OVERVIEW OF FUTURE SCENARIO PLANNING IN LIGHT OF COVID-19
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullah/Salam sejahtera all.
I hope you are well. This message is meant to solicit informed views and suggestions. It is about USM’s scenario planning in handling the Covid-19 challenge. At this point of writing, 2300+ of our students remained on campus (Main, Engineering, and Kubang Kerian), representing less than 10% of our total enrolment. About 800+ staff came to work – Main, IPPT, Pusat Sejahtera. A further 300+ in Kubang Kerian.
There are two main scenarios and three suggested responses – each requiring different levels of preparedness, and impacting us and those working for us (third parties – contractors, food operators). We will need to adapt to these changes very quickly, especially when it comes to matters involving the Senate, and accreditation bodies - MQA especially. Prof Aldrin is currently acting DVC A n I.
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Scenario 1: There is no plateau in Covid-19 cases, and the Restricted Movement policy continues to be imposed beyond March 31st. Our challenge will be to ensure business continuity.
Scenario 2.1: There is a plateau in Covid-19 cases, and the Restricted Movement policy is lifted. Our challenge – how do we manage the influx of returning students?
Scenario 2.2: There is a plateau in Covid-19 cases, and the Restricted Movement policy is lifted. Do students need to return to our campuses?
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Scenario 1 - There is no plateau in Covid-19 cases and business needs to continue:
1.1 We have to review internship assessment policies – can we accept up to half of the duration of internship for graduation requirements? Or do we postpone and continue where we left off at a later date?
1.2 We have to move to >60% continuous assessment, probably full continuous assessment, OR explore online exams? Will MQA allow this? Or else, we still adopt the existing coursework-exams split but find alternative ways of conducting them.
1.3 Virtual labs/practical sessions?
1.4 Front liners go on rotational basis to combat fatigue and depression.
1.5 The University continues limited access policy.
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Scenario 2.1 There is a plateau in Covid-19 cases, and the Restricted Movement policy is lifted. Students return to campus:
2.1 (a) Staggered return of students based on their Desasiswa, and immediately quarantined for 14 days. The first date of return would be a few days after the announcement that the Restricted Movement policy is lifted. This is so that USM's students will not be caught in the scramble to get tickets back. USM will need to deal with the screening of 14,000 students across 3 to 5 days.
2.1 (b) USM will impose an on-campus restricted movement during the quarantine period, limited access into the campus, and online teaching will continue to be practiced.
2.1 (c) Staff will continue working-from-home and they will return to work in stages. Those aged above 50, those with critical illnesses, and pregnant staff, would be the last to return to work, if at all necessary.
2.1 (d) Once the quarantine period is over for all students on campus, USM will lift the limited access policy.
2.1 (e) Students staying outside campus will return, report to Pusat Sejahtera, screened, and be on home surveillance for 14 days and to follow home surveillance standard operating procedures including daily reporting via text messages or phone call to Pusat Sejahtera. They can return whenever they are ready.
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Scenario 2.2 There is a plateau in Covid-19 cases, and the Restricted Movement policy is lifted. Students do NOT return to campus:
2.2 (a) Online courses and assessment to continue.
2.2 (b) Students on campus since Restricted Movement policy are allowed to leave if they wish.
2.2 (c) Online exams, OR students only return for exams.
2.2 (d) Designated days or week (only one week perhaps), for students to conduct experiments and practical sessions.
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Regardless of the scenarios, these have been decided:
1. Online teaching restarts April 5th for Kubang Kerian, and April 6th for the rest of the campuses.
2. Online counselling support for staff and students has been introduced today (19/3/2020).
3. Plans for special child care arrangements for front liners have begun.
4. Bursar is to set aside at least RM500k as additional emergency budget for Covid-19.
5. Rental waiver of all food operators serving students on campus beginning March 2020 until the situation improves.
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The meeting to finalise this will be Monday 23rd March 2020 830am Covid-19 Nerve Centre. We will also finalise our budget request to MoHE as instructed by them.
Thank you.
Professor Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan
Vice-Chancellor
19 March 2020