University Orientation Week in Malaysia: What Happens and What Is Compulsory

Orientation week sits between registering and your first lecture. It is mostly official briefings and paperwork, and easier once you know what is compulsory and where a full schedule ends and bullying begins.

What each institution calls it

Each name comes from the institution's own 2025 or 2026 intake guide or announcement. Names change, so if your university is not listed, check your offer letter attachments or its student affairs (HEP) website.

What actually happens

Published schedules follow a similar pattern.

• College registration. UM's 2026/2027 schedule for foundation and diploma students opened with two days of residential college registration and a campus walkabout.
• Sessions with university leadership. UKM's four-day programme included the Vice-Chancellor's address, forums, and sessions with alumni, faculties and residential colleges.
• Rules and support briefings. UM listed welfare, student discipline, safety, integrity and career briefings, plus an emotional wellbeing assessment.
• Faculty briefings. UTM faculties ran programme briefings, course registration and academic advisor sessions on 5 October 2026. Read up on credit hours first.

Length and format vary. UKM's ran four days and Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan's from 22 to 26 June 2026, while UiTM ran MDS for its March 2026 intake fully online, with a quiz after each module.

Is it compulsory?

Where institutions put it in writing, yes.

• UiTM's March 2026 schedule states that every new student is required to follow all the MDS modules, and that the group facilitator takes attendance at each session.
• Politeknik Kuching Sarawak's guide for Session I 2026/2027 says students must attend MTS, and that anyone reporting late needs an official letter to the Director for approval.

If you have a real reason to miss a session, tell the organiser in writing before it starts.

Dress code as officially stated

UPM's 2026/2027 guide sets out what to wear at registration and throughout Minggu Perkasa Putra.

• Men: a plain, light-coloured shirt, long trousers that are not jeans, and a tie.
• Women: baju kurung or modest wear such as a skirt below the knee, or suitable long trousers.
• Everyone: shoes, not slippers.

For the session with the Vice-Chancellor and the pledge ceremony, UPM specifies a white long-sleeved shirt, dark trousers and a maroon tie for men, and white baju kurung or a white blouse with a dark skirt for women, with closed black shoes. The same guide says only male students with short hair will be allowed to register, and that dyed hair is not permitted.

Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan asked for a white shirt and black trousers, or a white baju kurung with black tudung and skirt, on the day forms are handed in. Follow your own institution's guide and pack formal wear. The hostel packing list covers the rest.

Getting the most from it

• Write down the names and offices of your academic advisor, college fellow and HEP counter.
• Activate your student email, portal and library access during the week, not after it.
• Ask your faculty when the add and drop period for courses closes.

Where the line is, and where to complain

The Minister of Higher Education said in October 2024 that orientation remains relevant but its content must match its purpose of helping new students adjust. In the Dewan Rakyat on 12 August 2025, the Minister said bullying at public universities is a disciplinary offence under the student discipline rules standardised in 2024. Punishments range from a warning, community service and a fine of up to RM500 to removal from the hostel, suspension and expulsion.

If a senior or facilitator humiliates, threatens or hurts you, that is not part of any official programme.

1. Your university's student affairs office or campus security. This is the body that can open a disciplinary case.
2. The university's official complaint system. UiTM has e-Aduan, its official complaint channel. UKM's Integrity and Ombudsman Unit takes complaints through an online form. UTM uses a student complaint form sent to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) office, preferably within 24 hours of the incident.
3. The ministry. If the university does not act, the Ministry of Higher Education accepts complaints through its public complaints system, SiSPAA. It can reject complaints filed without full details and supporting evidence.
4. The police, if you were assaulted or threatened.

Keep evidence: dates, names, screenshots, witnesses.

Before the week starts, check that your registration paperwork is complete, and plan your first-semester budget with the hidden costs guide.

Sources: UiTM Student Affairs (MDS schedule, March 2026), Universiti Malaya (UM-WOW page and new student guides), UKM (news release of 25 September 2026 and the Integrity and Ombudsman Unit), UPM (new student guide 2026/2027), UTM (undergraduate kit 2026/2027 and student complaint form), Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan and Politeknik Kuching Sarawak guides for Session I 2026/2027, the Ministry of Higher Education's SiSPAA page, and news reports (Bernama, Sinar Harian, Utusan Malaysia) of the Minister's statements on 3 October 2024 and 12 August 2025. Names, schedules and dress codes change each intake; verify with your own university.