COVID-19, Movement Control Order & UiTMLaw: a bittersweet encounter

Faced with the unprecedented Covid-79 pandemic and Movement Control Order (MCO) challenges, one of the key aspects that should be observed is the safety and welfare of students. To ensure this, several measures had been taken by the UiTMLaw Student Affairs Department, spearheaded by the Deputy Dean (Student Affairs). Dr. Siti Hafsyah Idris. At the beginning of MCO, with assistance from the UiTMLaw Student Representative Council (MPP) and Student Secretariat (SMF). Google forms were distributed to collect data on students' location and to identify the number of stranded students. Based on the data collected, two designated WhatsApp groups (for Residential College and Non-Resident students) were created to ease and maintain constant communica­tion with them. lnfographics on safety and special assistance offered to UiTM students throughout the MCO period were disseminated among the students via MPP, SMF, batch representatives and the High Committee members of UiTMLaw student clubs and societies. Alongside this, a plenty of other necessary information was circulated, inclusive of the required procedures in applying for financial aid and mobile data allowances, procedures in getting healthcare services at UiTM Health Centre and its operating hours, other than at Shah Alam Hospital or private clinics, as well as the availability of other student services, such as the UiTM Counselling Centre tele-counselling service which was meant to provide students with emotional and psychological assistance especially throughout the MCO period. In line with this, a Google form survey was also distributed to identify students with such problems through the effort of UiTMLaw Deputy Dean (Student Affairs) and the UiTM Law student volunteer team. Besides, in dealing with emergency health issues encountered by students, upon being notified, the UiTMLaw Student Affairs Department would liaise with UiTM Health Centre and Shah Alam Disaster Operations Committee (JOBSA) to tackle the issues.