Universities given autonomy to decide learning arrangements as haze deepens

Higher Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir has empowered public universities and colleges to make their own decisions regarding learning arrangements in response to worsening haze conditions affecting Malaysia. The minister stated that institutions need to evaluate the situation themselves and determine how best to conduct educational activities for their students. This approach allows individual campuses to respond based on their specific circumstances and local air quality measurements. The decision reflects the government's strategy of delegating responsibility to educational institutions rather than imposing uniform nationwide directives. Universities and colleges are expected to weigh factors including air quality index readings, student safety, and operational capacity when deciding whether to proceed with on-campus classes, shift to hybrid or fully online learning, or implement other protective measures. The move comes as regional haze episodes continue to pose health and environmental challenges across Southeast Asia, with educational institutions among the sectors most directly impacted by poor air quality conditions.