1. How long is the service period that entitles a person to apply for Sabbatical Leave? How is the service period calculated?

   For a full 3-year service, Sabbatical Leave (CS) is eligible to be considered for 5 months, while for a 5-year full service, the officer is eligible for CS for 9 months.

   The period of service is calculated from the date of the first appointment; or the self-report date of the end of Study Leave; or the previous Sabbatical Leave self-report reporting date; or self-report deadline of Half-Salary Leave / Unpaid Leave.

    

2. How is the service bond calculated by the Officer after the end of the Sabbatical Leave and report? If the officer fails to complete the service bond, how much compensation will be claimed?

   Officers will be subject to service contract with UPM as per the table below:
   

    

3. What is the minimum period of Sabbatical Leave that entitles the officer to receive a living allowance of foreign rates?
   

   The minimum period of Sabbatical Leave overseas is 4 months.

    

4. What is the maximum age limit for applying for Sabbatical Leave?
   

   Referring to the UPM Statute (Sabbatical Leave) 1990, officers must complete the Sabbatical Leave 3 years before retiring so that the bond period can be completed.

    

5. Who is eligible to apply for Sabbatical Leave?

   All permanent status officers appointed by UPM and hold the position of Professor, Associate Professor and Lecturer.

    

6. What is the purpose of Sabbatical Leave?
   

   The real purpose or goal of sabbatical leave is to improve the knowledge and skills of officers in their field. This is in line with the ever-evolving development of knowledge. To achieve this goal, officers are allowed to conduct sabbatical leave with the following activities:

   • Conduct research;
   • Academic and scientific visits related to the field of specialization / expertise of officers;
   • Writing the original work book provided that the officer only wrote one book during the approved sabbatical leave period. Permission is granted only to complete the writing, not at the initial stage of writing;
   • a combination of items (i), (ii) and (iii) mentioned above that will benefit the country, university and teachers.

    

7. What documents are required for Sabbatical Leave application?
   • UPM Sabbatical Leave Application Checklist Form
   • UPM Sabbatical Leave Application Form (signed by the Dean and Head of Department) - please go to the Registrar's Office Website – https://pendaftar.upm.edu.my/filedokumen to download the form.
   • Planning / Schedule of Work / Activities during Sabbatical Leave in detail
   • Research proposal / book draft
   • Copy of offer letter of the relevant university / organization (offer letter must be complete and have the signature of the relevant University / Organization and please state bench fees if any)
   • Information on insurance costs (if applicable)

    

8. What are the conditions for Sabbatical Leave?
   
   • Has been confirmed in the post;
   • Get the support of the Dean and Head of Department;
   • Free from disciplinary action;
   • Not exceeding the age limit (refer to answer No. 25.4)

    

9. How are services considered for Sabbatical Leave eligibility?
   

   The 3 year service is a continuous service for 36 months and the 5 year service is a continuous service for 60 months with the University including the loan period but does not include the following periods:

   • Half Salary Leave;
   • Study Leave;
   • Doctoral Post Leave;
   • Sub Expertise Leave;
   • Training to attend a program under the Training Scheme for Academic Officers;
   • Postponement of Sabbatical Leave approved by the University;
   • Interdiction or suspension under the University Code of Conduct; and
   • Detention under the law in relation to Malaysian security or any part of crime prevention or preventive detention.

    

10. What are the facilities and allowances paid during the Sabbatical Leave?
    

    Officer's who are approved for Sabbatical Leave are paid, full salary and given following benefits:

    1. First Sabbatical Overseas:
       • Round trip (economy class) fares for the nearest and cheapest routes using MAS / AirAsia / One World flights;
       • Subsistence allowance using foreign rates following the prescribed rate provided that the officer resides overseas for a period of not less than 4 months;
       • Warm Clothing Allowance (if not received in the last 3 years);
       • Health Insurance (if applicable);
       • Bench Fees (if applicable)
       • All these facilities are subject to officers only. The university will not incur any expenses if the officer brings the family.
       • Officers who are approved to undergo sabbatical leave abroad with UPM sponsorship, are only eligible to be considered once throughout the service (as approved in the 259th UPM Management Meeting).

       The granting of allowances as stated above is based on the assumption that the officer concerned did not receive any assistance from other parties. If the officer receives any assistance from another party, the University reserves the right to reduce or not provide directly allowances / facilities normally provided by the University. The officer must also report any type of financial assistance or facilities received from any external party immediately to the University.

    2. Sabbatical Leave Second and the following leave:: 
       • Living Allowance local rates

       Officers are also encouraged to seek outside assistance / funding from the University. However, an application from any source other than the University must be made by an officer only with the approval of UPM.

        

11. What about the yearly post Leave in the period of Sabbatical Leave?
    

    During sabbatical leave leave, officers are not eligible for leave and all leave that has not been taken compilation of consumer sabbatical leave expires. After completing the sabbatical leave, the leave entitlement will be counted annually by the officer who is re-employed at UPM.

     

12. When should officers report for re-duty after the approved Sabbatical Leave expires and what documents need to be included?

    Officers must report immediately after the Sabbatical Leave period ends by submitting the following documents:

    • Self-report form approved by the Dean and Head of Department (form can be downloaded from the Office Website);
    • Final Report on Sabbatical Leave which has been confirmed by the Dean and Head of Department;
    • Proof of Partnership Session has been implemented must be submitted to the Study Leave Section, Registrar's Office within 3 months from the date of self-report.

     

13. How long will the binding agreement need to be completed with UPM after reporting for the end of the Sabbatical Leave?

    Officers who are approved Sabbatical Leave must complete the contract with 2 guarantors, promising to serve the University for a period of:

    • 12 months from the date the officer reports for re-duty on his return from Sabbatical Leave, if the leave is taken as soon as 3 years of service; or
    • 24 months from the date the officer reports for re-duty upon his return from Sabbatical Leave, if the leave is taken as soon as 5 years of service.

     

14. Do Sabbatical Leave Approved Officers need to meet certain KPIs?
    

    Yes. Officials approved for Sabbatical Leave must meet the KPIs as per the table below:

     

    The number of compulsory publications is at least 1 journal (sumitted). For more than 1 publication, other publications can be of any form such as conference papers, books and others. Publication must be in the CIJ Journal and the officer must be a Senior Author (Senior Author), and an affiliated institution (affiliation) or dual affiliate, one of which is UPM.

    In order to undergo Sabbatical Leave for the purpose of book publishing, it is mandatory to produce 1 academic book within 6 months after reporting.

Updated:: 27/11/2020 [syazaliyana]