Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has issued a clarification after a viral social media post sparked confusion and concern among students and parents over the university’s decision to conduct orientation and academic sessions online for selected foundation programmes.
The controversy began after an internal directive dated June 4 stated that the Minggu Suai Mesra (MSM) orientation programme and teaching and learning sessions for students enrolled in the Foundation in Information Technology and Foundation in Social Sciences programmes for the 2026/2027 academic session would be conducted entirely online.
According to the directive, the decision was made in line with government preparedness measures aimed at addressing current geopolitical risks.
The move quickly gained public attention after a Threads post questioning the arrangement went viral, generating thousands of interactions and raising concerns among incoming students and their families.
The post expressed shock that newly enrolled students would only need to attend physical registration before being required to return home and continue their studies online for the entire semester.
It also questioned the financial implications for students who had already paid more than RM1,000 in fees, including accommodation charges, and highlighted concerns from students travelling from Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak who had already incurred significant travel expenses.
Some users argued that students who had already arrived in Sabah should at least be allowed to remain in campus accommodation while attending online classes rather than being asked to return home.
In response, UMS issued an official statement on Friday explaining that the online implementation applies only to the Foundation in Information Technology and Foundation in Social Sciences programmes for Semester One of the 2026/2027 academic year.
The university said the decision was made in support of recommendations from the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT), which has encouraged institutions to consider online learning as a way to reduce travel costs and fuel consumption during the current period.
UMS also sought to reassure affected students, stating that those who had already purchased flight tickets or made accommodation arrangements would still be permitted to attend registration and complete the enrolment process on campus according to schedule.
The university further announced that students facing internet connectivity challenges at home may apply for on-campus accommodation to ensure uninterrupted access to their studies.
Addressing concerns over fees and accommodation payments, UMS said it is currently reviewing all related financial implications to ensure that any decisions made are fair and take into consideration the welfare of students and their families.
The university urged students and parents seeking further clarification to contact the Centre for Science and Technology Preparatory Studies (PPST) directly.
While UMS has addressed several concerns raised online, questions surrounding accommodation charges and possible fee adjustments remain under review as students await further announcements from the university.
