spoke to the students and suggested they send their student council( representatives) for a discussion. With twenty people instead of four thousand at the meeting, there was less enmity, more understanding. I conceded on some points, stood firm on others.
Looking at AUKU, it does seem that students have no freedom of speech. But freedom of speech should be confined within the boundaries of the law. In any university, we are educating students to think. At times, their thoughts may not coincide with those in authority. This is fine as long as they do no harm.
Sometimes, people do not understand that there are consequences to every action. Our responsibility is to stop doing more harm to an already bad situation and instead do everything that we can to fix the problem. If you want to express yourself, go directly to the person in charge. As more and more people come out to voice their opinions( in public), I worry that things would only get worse.”
MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITIES AND INTERNATIONAL RANKINGS“ The rankings are a necessary evil. If Malaysia wants to be an international hub of education, we have to attain a certain standard. If I were an international student, I would look for universities with higher rankings. I would be very worried if the rankings get worse from year to year.
When it comes to international comparisons, we must bear in mind that Singapore has only six public universities whereas we have twenty one. We have five research universities in the country; UPM( Universiti Putra Malaysia), UM( University of Malaya), USM( Universiti Sains Malaysia), UKM( Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), and UTM( Universiti Teknologi Malaysia) while Singapore has only two. If I’ m the Singapore government, I would make sure my two top universities become number one.
This, however, should not be our
Perdana Magazine editors with Tan Sri
I understand what poverty is, and I understand what failure is. If you want to stop being a failure, you have to overcome obstacles. You never stop trying, no matter how many times you fail.
excuse. We should ask whether our universities have enough resources. If the universities do not have enough resources due to reduced funding, then it becomes more difficult for them to maintain or improve their benchmark. This is a very critical and important issue. Research requires funds. The universities, with the help of the Ministry of Education, have to look for money for research.
We have a very good system of education but the test is in the implementation. Universities have to deliver education passionately, earnestly, truthfully and ethically.”
GRADUATE UNEMPLOYMENT“ Graduates can always get a job, but it’ s whether the job is consistent with your qualification and your desire. The most dangerous scenario is when you have the qualifications but you cannot land a job.
My view is this: first, we have too many universities in the country. There are those who disagree with me but I believe that a third of the students in university now do not belong there. They should be in a technical or vocational college, pursuing TVET( Technical and Vocational Education and Training). The problem is that everybody wants to go to university.
Secondly, unemployment also arises when people are not professionally qualified. For example, we have graduates with degrees in accountancy who don’ t go beyond their degree. They don’ t sit for their professional accountancy course, such as MIPA( Malaysian Institute of Public Accountant), CPA Australia, CIMA, and ACCA. The same goes for those with a degree in business. They should seek professional accreditation by the Chartered Insurance Institute, Chartered Institute of Transport, Institute of Marketing and so on. To me, a Master’ s is still inadequate without professional training and qualification. If you’ re professionally qualified, you can most certainly get a job.”
PERSONAL ETHOS“ Everyone’ s life path is different. Not many people have to go through what I went through. I suffered poverty, health issues and family bereavement. Those will always be in the back of my mind. If you are doing well today, always remember your past. I am the son of a rubber tapper. My family suffered a lot because we were poor. I understand what poverty is, and I understand what failure is. If you want to stop being a failure, you have to overcome obstacles. You never stop trying, no matter how many times you fail. As long as you get up again, the future is always bright. Never give up.”
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