DIPLOMA IN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH

The Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health at MAHSA University is a 3-year programme that prepares students for a career in the Occupational Safety and Health field. This programme has been developed to meet the growing demand for safety and health practitioners as the government continues quest to reduce and prevent industrial accidents and occupational diseases. Occupational safety and health practitioners are needed to manage and improve employees' health and wellness across workplaces and industries which in turn are important for improving legislative compliance, productivity, efficiency and morale in organizations.

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is a field of public health that studies trends in illnesses and injuries in the worker population and proposes as well as implements strategies and regulations to prevent them. Its scope is broad, encompassing a wide variety of disciplines, from industrial hygiene, engineering, toxicology and epidemiology to ergonomics and violence prevention. The issues studied and regulated by OSH practitioners today vary widely by sector. For example, risks such as falling from heights and injury from heavy machinery might be of greater concern to construction workers, whereas mental health and repetitive stress injuries might be the focus in office environments.

The Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health is tailored to cater for the current and future needs of diverse industries and organizations. To this end, MAHSA University has taken a bold step to envisage the global and national vision of the current and future industrial revolution by moulding competent graduates who are well rounded with the necessary soft skills and attitudes to lead the ever-evolving OSH landscape.

MAHSA University’s Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health graduates will be assets to their employers and companies where they will be able to establish, monitor and maintain a safe and healthy working environment for all of the employees.

Critical Problem Statement

What is the national situation at hand in terms of demand/ shortage/career evolution that will make learning this programme worthwhile in tackling the matter?

Malaysia currently lacks at least 9,000 safety and health officers (SHOs) and demand is expected to grow with multiple mega projects in the pipeline. There are currently 14 million workers in Malaysia, and this is expected to increase significantly when mega projects begin construction, furthering the need for SHOs to monitor work sites (NIOSH, 2018).

How will this programme support the talent shortage/critical talent list (to use/cite relevant and credible statistics to back up demand of the employability)?

The scope of OSH practice is carried out by well-trained and registered Safety Health Officer professionals in the public and private sectors through multitasking of work in the areas of organization, management, education, enforcement, consultation, and audit for the purpose of promotion and to provide a safe working environment for all their employees. The OSH Master Plan by the Human Resources Ministry, which set a target of only 2 workplace accident cases per 1,000 workers in 2020, like the rate in developed countries. MAHSA University aims to be the avenue for promoting continuous professional education to complement this plan.

Based on employability factors, why should one study this programme?

Occupational Safety and Health is listed as one of the critical occupations by the Malaysian Human Resource Ministry (in the 2019/2020 Talent Corp Critical Occupation List). It has been established that there is a demand for and shortage of professionals in this field.

OSH practitioners can find employment opportunities in a wide variety

Of settings such as construction, factories, petrochemicals, mining and offices. If there is a risk in the safety and health of employees, tenants or guests, the expertise of professionals this field will be needed. After all, not only do workplace accidents cost businesses money via compensation and fines, they are also a source of bad publicity and low staff morale.

OSH practitioners can also be a part of the health frontline.

While you may not be directly involved in saving lives, you will be a part of the health heroes toiling tirelessly to prevent workplace accidents from occurring, thus reducing fatalities and the need for people to seek medical aid.

Programme Structure

Career Opportunities

Occupational Safety and Health Officer

Environmental Health Officer (OSHO) in Department of Occupational Safety and Health Malaysia

Safety and Health Officer (SHO) in various sectors

Safety Executive in various sectors. Industrial Hygienist

Site Safety Supervisor

Consultant in the field of Occupational Safety and Health

Entry Requirement

i) Possess Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) with pass in English at SPM level and THREE CREDITS in the following subjects*:

• Mathematics and ONE Science subject (Biology/ Physics/ Chemistry/ General Science); and
• Any other ONE subjects OR

ii) A pass in Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM) Level 3/ Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM) in the relevant field (Note: The HEPs need to conduct specific screening and guidance related to the field of the program for the students); O

iii) A Certificate (Level 3, Malaysian Qualifications Framework, MQF) in the relevant field with at least CGPA of 2.00*; OR

iv) A pass in Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) with at least Grade C (GP 2.0) in any subject*; OR

v) A pass in Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) with at least Grade Maqbul*; OR

vi) Other relevant equivalent qualifications recognised by the Malaysian Government.

Additional requirement for iii - v: A pass in English AND credit in Mathematics and ONE Science subject (Biology/ Physics/ Chemistry/ General Science) at SPM level or equivalent qualifications (Refer to the notes (*) below this table).

English Competency Requirement (International Student)

 

Achieve a minimum Band 3 in Malaysian University English Test (MUET) OR equivalent to Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (High B1)**.

* a, b and c below can be waived should any other higher qualifications contain English, Mathematics and any Science subjects including General Science with an equivalent/higher achievement. Malaysian students using English as the medium of instruction in their previous study or with at least Band 2 in MUET or equivalent can be exempted from a pass in the English requirement. Those without a credit in Mathematics and/or Science subjects at the SPM level or equivalent can be admitted requirement. Those without a credit in Mathematics and/or Science subjects at the SPM level or equivalent can be admitted but are required to attend special enhancement course(s). These special enhancement courses should be SPM equivalent, remedial in nature. Students must pass the Mathematics and Science subject enhancement courses as a prerequisite to the related core courses.

a) A pass in English at SPM level or equivalent qualifications (English subject requirement does not apply to international students since they are required to meet certain scores of international English examinations and are privileged with certain exemptions)

A credit in Mathematics and ONE Science subject at SPM level or equivalent qualifications

A credit in ONE Science subject at SPM level or equivalent qualifications

** Refer to Surat JPT/GS 1000/630 Jld. 3 (12), 6 Mac 2023 - Syarat Kompetensi Bahasa lnggeris Kepada Pelajar Antarabangsa for equivalent English language assessments and score.

STUDENT PASS / VISA REQUIREMENTS (INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS)

All international students who plan to study full-time in Malaysia are required to obtain a Student Pass (Student Visa) before starting their studies.

• You must receive an official Offer Letter from the university before applying for a student pass

• The university will submit your Student Pass application through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) on your behalf

• A Visa Approval Letter (VAL / eVAL) is required before travelling to Malaysia

• Studying on a tourist or social visit visa is not permitted

• Your passport must be valid for at least 18 months from your intended intake date

• Visa processing time depends on EMGS and Malaysian Immigration approval

• After arriving in Malaysia, all students must complete a medical check-up at an EMGS-registered clinic

• Your Student Pass will be issued only after medical clearance and document verification

• Continuing students must renew their Student Pass before it expires

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR STUDENT PASS APPLICATION

The following documents are commonly required for all international students:

• Valid passport (clear scanned copy of all pages, including blank pages)

• Passport-size photograph with a white background

• Official Offer Letter from the university

• Academic certificates and transcripts related to your programme

• English language proficiency certificate (IELTS / TOEFL or equivalent), if required

• Proof of acceptance or tuition fee payment (if requested by the university)

• Student Pass / Visa processing fee as determined by EMGS

• Completed EMGS Health Declaration Form (if applicable)

Please note: All documents not originally in English must be submitted together with certified English translations.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS (IF APPLICABLE)

Some students may be asked to provide extra documents depending on their situation:

• Release Letter and Visa Cancellation Letter (for students transferring from another institution in Malaysia)

• School Leaving Certificate (for foundation or diploma applicants)

• Sponsorship or Scholarship Letter (if your studies are funded)

• Proof of financial support to cover tuition fees and living expenses

• Statutory Declaration (if there are name differences across documents)

• Resume or Character Reference Letter (commonly required for applicants above 23 years old)

• Police Clearance Certificate (if requested by EMGS or embassy authorities)

• Copy of previous Malaysian visa or Resident Pass (if applicable)

AFTER ARRIVING IN MALAYSIA

Once you arrive in Malaysia, you will need to:

• Complete a medical examination at an EMGS-approved clinic

• Submit your passport for Student Pass Endorsement

• Receive a temporary Special Pass (if applicable) while your Student Pass is being processed

• Collect your Student Pass and complete university registration

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• Student Pass requirements are set by Malaysian Immigration and EMGS and may vary by nationality
• The university’s International Office will guide you through each step of the process
• Students are strongly advised to prepare documents at least 2–3 months before intake
• Requirements may change, so always follow the latest instructions provided by the university