Heriot-Watt University

Malaysia Campus

As of 2 March, it has been announced that Putrajaya will transition to a Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) zone. While the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Penang will be lifted and replaced with the Conditional Movement Control Order  (CMCO) starting 5 March 2021. Please be alert that as the situation remains highly fluid, the information is subject to change and will be updated as and when new information is received. 

The following FAQs may answer most of your queries.

Physical return to campus 

Can I return to campus?

With the number of cases trending down and the loosening of restrictions in most sectors, the Ministry of Higher Education has also announced SOPs for a gradual return to face-to-face classes, currently limited to only six categories of students, from 1 March 2021.  These categories are: 

  1. Students studying for certificate, diploma, bachelor’s degree or postgraduate who need to conduct clinical work and practical work requiring laboratories, workshops, design studios and special equipment.  
  2. Students who do not have access or without a conducive learning environment to undergo teaching and learning online.   
  3. All new and current international students except those from the United Kingdom  
  4. Foundation, diploma students or the equivalent who have been staying on-campus are allowed to continue studying in hybrid mode.   
  5. Students with special needs (defined as “OKU - orang kurang upaya”); and   
  6. Students taking the Malaysia University English Test (MUET), or other international or professional examinations.   
When will I be able to have face to face classes on campus?

Both Undergraduate and Postgraduate students will continue to attend classes online until the end of Semester 2.  Further decision will be taken for next semester in due course. 

Foundation April 2020 intake students will remain online until the end of Semester 3. For the Foundation July and September 2020 intake students, the decision will be taken at a later date for the commencement of the new semester blended mode beginning 29th March 2021.  

Am I able to come on campus to use the facilities?  

At the moment only the following facilities are open from 5th of March 2021, Mondays - Fridays between 9am to 5pm:

  • Library 
  • Computer Lab 1 and 4 
  • Common room 1  
  • Counselling and Disability Support 
  • Student Services Centre  

Students who wish to use the facilities above will be allowed to do so and can apply with the Student Services Centre. They can register here 

Will shuttle buses be provided during this period?    

No, all bus services are suspended at the moment.   

Can I travel freely to the campus?

Please be alert that while the 10km travel restriction has been lifted, the restriction of travel within the district of your residence still remains in force until the 4 March, the end of the MCO. Based on media announcement, it has been informed that travel into Putrajaya remains restricted as it is an RMCO zone. Therefore, if you are travelling from outside of Putrajaya, you will require and authorisation letter by the university. After your registration with the Student Service Centre, an authorisation letter will be issued in order to travel to the campus. 

I am a Research Assistant/Final Year student and require the use of laboratories on campus. Will I be able to?

PGR RAs/PhD and students undertaking their final year research projects may submit requests to use the labs on campus. These requests must be supported by the research supervisors and will be assessed by our Director of Research and Enterprise, Professor David Ngo, or the respective Associate Head of School in consultation with the Lab Team.    

Who do I contact if I feel sick and are displaying symptoms of COVID19?
If you are displaying symptoms, please contact the following persons immediately:
Pn Delilah Hamid, Senior Manager, Registry Operations and SSC at d.hamid@hw.ac.uk or
Mr Nicholas Ong, Head of Registry and Student Services at nicholas.ong@hw.ac.uk (or call +6019-228 7806)
I have heard that the University will employ Responsive Blended Learning. What does this mean?
Responsive Blended Learning or RBL combines active, supported online learning with contextually appropriate face-to-face learning opportunities, responding dynamically to the changing external context. This approach enables students to proceed with their studies alongside their peers, whatever pandemic-related restrictions are lifted or imposed in specific contexts. The RBL approach will allow students to begin the academic year on schedule, wherever they may be in the world. As conditions change, some students may be able to access face-to-face learning whilst others may continue to access learning online. Wherever students access their learning, they will remain part of the same core cohort of learners, sharing and developing their learning together. At the heart of this approach is our Heriot-Watt global learning community, our students and our staff collaborating together to inspire learning. More information on RBL can be found here.
Will class sizes remain the same, or is there a maximum capacity for those who are returning for Face to Face classes?

When face to face classes resume, class sizes will be restricted to a maximum which can accommodate physical distancing requirements of 1 meter as required by the SOP.   

What are the arrangements like for tests and examinations?
The University will have no in person assessments in the first semester. All assessments will be either online or through course work.
I signed up for student events that take place off-campus. Will these events still take place? 

HWUMSA has been advised to convert all planned physical events to online events or cancel physical events if online is not feasible. Please contact HWUMSA or the organiser directly.  

I plan to return to campus for Face to Face sessions at a later date. When should I start registering for student accommodation?
We accept registrations for our student accommodation all year round.  You can do so at any time. Please send your applications to MYaccomodation@hw.ac.uk   
I have applied to transfer to another campus under Go Global. Can I go?
The situation will be reviewed again at a later stage to consider the next opportunity to transfer in September 2021.  Based on the current situation and with the vaccination programme underway, it is highly likely that the Go Global programme will resume for campus transfers in September 2021. 

International students

I am interested to apply to your campus but am unable to travel now. Can I apply and study online?

Yes, you can apply and study online. Offer letters will be issued as usual.

Once you have applied, we will submit your application to Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS). Once your EMGS approval letter is issued, we will then be able to enrol you online and you will have access to the University’s online resources and learning platforms.

For detailed processes, you may refer to the latest SOPs from Education Malaysia Global Services.

Contact our International Student Support Office at MYinternationaloffice@hw.ac.uk should you need further clarification and the latest updates.

Will I be able to enter Malaysia to start my studies?

We have received new SOPs from the Ministry of Higher Education on 6 January 2021 which have outlined steps on how international students (other than students from United Kingdom) can return to continue their studies in-person on campus.  This is in line with the Ministry’s announcement that university students are expected to be allowed to return to campus by phases for limited face-to-face classes by 1st of March 2021.  

If you are planning or considering returning to Malaysia, please be advised that the following are the steps you need to take:   

  • Students will need to request for a Travel Authorisation letter through EMGS.  
  • Upon receiving the Travel Authorisation, student will need to complete a Letter of Undertaking (LOU) and indemnity for Person Under Surveillance. The student must submit the completed LOU, the travel authorisation, passport copy and flight ticket via email to the Malaysian Mission in your home country / neighbouring country to request for a Letter or Approval   
  • You will be required to take the RT-PCR COVID-19 test 3 days prior to your departure to Malaysia.  
  • With your RT-PCR results (which must be COVID-19 negative), upon your entry to the country, you will undergo a quarantine period of 7 days.   
  • Should your RT-PCR COVID-19 test dates to more than 3 days prior to entry at the departure gate, the test will not be accepted, and you will be subjected to a quarantine of 10 days.   
  • Your quarantine period will be at official government quarantine centre, where the cost will be borne by you. Costs can be up to RM3,500 in total.   
  • You must also download and register on the MySejahtera app upon entry into the country.  
  • Once your quarantine period is over, the University will pick you up at the quarantine centre and proceed immediately to your accommodation.   

As the situation is highly fluid, please be aware that this can change at any time as instructed by the government of Malaysia. Therefore,  it is imperative that you contact our International Student Support team at MYinternationaloffice@hw.ac.uk or +6012 667 7140/+6012 632 2799 for further clarification and advice before you make any travel arrangements.   

I have heard that the University will employ Responsive Blended Learning. What does this mean?
Responsive Blended Learning or RBL combines active, supported online learning with contextually appropriate face-to-face learning opportunities, responding dynamically to the changing external context. This approach enables students to proceed with their studies alongside their peers, whatever pandemic-related restrictions are lifted or imposed in specific contexts. The RBL approach will allow students to begin the academic year on schedule, wherever they may be in the world. As conditions change, some students may be able to access face-to-face learning whilst others may continue to access learning online. Wherever students access their learning, they will remain part of the same core cohort of learners, sharing and developing their learning together. At the heart of this approach is our Heriot-Watt global learning community, our students and our staff collaborating together to inspire learning. More information on RBL can be found here.
What are the arrangements like for tests and examinations?
The University will have no in person assessments in the first semester. All assessments will be either online or through course work.

General campus enquiries

What are the procedures to enter the campus?

We are open to the general public for course enquiries from 8th of March 2021 onwards. 

All staff, students and visitors will have to be masked on arrival and will need to register at the designated campus entrance. Registration is compulsory as outlined by a government directive to enable contact tracing. Your temperature will also be taken by staff members You will not be allowed to enter the campus if your recorded temperature is above 37.5 Celsius or you show any symptoms. You will be required to sanitize your hands before you enter the campus. Please ensure you give your full cooperation to the staff members who are required to ensure strict adherence to the requirements for the health and safety of the campus community.  

Alternatively, you may also reach our Student Recruitment team via our virtual site at: http://bit.ly/hwumvirtual   

How will physical distancing be applied across the campus?
The University will be employing thorough physical distancing rules across all areas at the campus, including elevators, working spaces, study spaces, classrooms and lecture halls. We are required to ensure that the 1 metre physical distancing is adhered to. The University has also invested in the installation of hand sanitisers across the campus.   
Will bus services be affected when students are allowed to return to campus?

No, all bus services are suspended at the moment. We will notify students as soon as they are back in service. 

Bus service will resume at minimal service when students can return to campus. However, bus services may be subject to the number of students requiring the service. We will update and release the bus timetable from time to time. You may contact Student Support Services at MYStudentExperience@hw.ac.uk for the latest bus timetable. 

If you are using our shuttle buses, you are required to be scanned for your temperature upon entry and check-in with the MySejahtera app. We encourage that you sanitise your hands before entering the bus and upon exiting. A face mask is compulsory when you check-in, and as long as you are on the bus. Surfaces on our buses are cleaned 3 times a day, and once a week, the entire bus is deep cleaned.

In line with public transport Standard Operating Procedures issued by the government, there is no physical distancing on the bus. As such, you are encouraged to limit your interaction with other passengers on the bus.

Will I be able to eat at the cafeteria (Happy Café)?
Yes, the cafeteria will be open from 5th of March 2021 onwards, from 8am to 2pm and will be adhering to the latest government SOPs. 
What precautions should I take while I am on campus?

The University is ensuring strict adherence to the SOP issued by the government. As of 1st August 2020, the Malaysian government has made it compulsory to wear a face mask in public places. On campus, you are required to wear one when you enter the premises, and to and from classes or offices spaces. You have the option of removing them when you are in class or at your own office space.

All staff and students are encouraged to observe basic hand hygiene and wash your hands regularly. A no hand-shake policy is also currently in place. The campus has also installed hand sanitisers across the campus. If you are exhibiting any symptoms such as fever, cough or flu, you are strictly not allowed to come on to campus.