UKM Students Affected as Heat Wave Hits Malaysia
Writer: Ma Wugang
Editor: Wang Runzhi
Photo Source: Facebook Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia)
BANGI, 2 May - The Malaysian Meteorological Department has issued a level-one heat wave alert starting 25 April, over three states in Malaysia were issued this alert, and the students studying at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) were greatly affected by this extreme weather.
Three types of caution levels are introduced by the Malaysian Meteorological Department, which is level one - be careful, the daily maximum temperature of 35 to 37 degrees Celsius for at least three consecutive days; Level two - heat wave, the daily maximum temperature of 37 to 40 degrees Celsius for at least three consecutive days and level three - extreme heat wave, the daily maximum temperature above 40 degrees Celsius for at least three consecutive days.
International Student Residential College - Kolej Ibu Zain. Photo by Ma Wugang
A student living in Kolej Ibu Zain, the international student residential college, Ma Like (23), said I usually take the shuttle bus to class, but when there is no shuttle bus, I have to walk to class and the heat wave can easily cause heat stroke.
“I think the temperature has been hotter recently than when I came to Malaysia last October. I now have to use Grab (a local e-hailing app) or the shuttle bus to go to the language centre for my classes, and compared to last year, I don't really feel hot walking to my classes, which has affected my normal university life,” said Dai Fengfeiyang (19), an international student who comes from China.
Moreover, a local student living in Kolej Aminuddin Baki, Sim Zhen Zhe (23), said, “There is a time of year when it is particularly hot in Malaysia, and our residential college does not have air conditioning yet, so sometimes it is hot even at night.”
However, a local student from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSK), Foo Dong Yi (23), said that it is common in Malaysia and happens every year, but it does affect us mentally, the heat wave reduces our motivation and productivity in our studies.
In order to prevent the general public from being affected by the heat wave, the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) has published appropriate posters on its official website about precautionary measures, such as how to stay cool and stay hydrated during the heat wave.
“Compared to local students who can get around by car, we do not have our own cars in Malaysia, which makes us more vulnerable to heat waves,” an international student studying in the Psychology programme at FSSK, Wang Ruixiang (22) said.
In addition, the Malaysian Ministry of Education issued a reminder via Instagram on 30 April that in the case of a daily temperature condition with a maximum temperature exceeding level one alert of 35 to 37 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days, administrators of educational institutions under the Ministry of Education and Culture should stop all outdoor activities involving students and lecturers.
