Education

Sunday August 24, 2008

Not ready for change

BY SIMRIT KAUR

There have been conflicting reactions to the Selangor mentri besar’s proposal for UiTM to open its doors to non-bumiputras and foreigners.

SELANGOR Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s proposal on Aug 9 that 10% of Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) enrolment be made up of non-bumiputra and international students has been vehemently rejected by UiTM’s establishment.

UiTM students have made their feelings known about the proposal to open up. – Filepic

Its students organised a mass demonstration on Aug 12 in Shah Alam in protest while vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Abu Shah said that Khalid’s proposal went against the original purpose of setting up UiTM, which was to help the bumiputras.

The government has also made its stand clear with Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin reiterating that there would be no change in UiTM’s enrolment policy.

Benefits of integration

Viewed objectively, isn’t Khalid’s proposal to open up UiTM and the reasons given — to prepare its students for competition and globalisation — valid?

It has been pointed out that UiTM has been enrolling foreign students for years. Why not Malaysians?

In its website UiTM says that it aspires to be world-class in all its endeavours and have a vibrant and inclusive learning environment. How valid is that claim in light of the university’s present enrolment policy?

Universiti Malaya economics lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Terence Gomez says that other Malaysian public universities benefit from the interaction and dialogue that occur between students from different communities.

“In a university setting, students are required to read extensively, debate ideas and engage in intellectual discourse.

“Different perspectives evolve from these discussions and this is something that UiTM students, with their mono-ethnic background, don’t get.”

Dr Gomez adds that students in other public universities experience an understanding of Malaysian society and its different viewpoints.

“There is a need for debate on policies along universal or targeted lines. You won’t get truly in-depth discussions with one ethnic group.

“The perspectives will be intra-ethnic and not inter-ethnic and this diminishes the quality of the interaction at UiTM which is so important in a university setting.”

Over-reaction?

Political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Agus Yusoff from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia says the reaction to Khalid’s proposal shows a lack of maturity among Malaysians.

“There was no need for everyone to become hysterical. The issue has been blown out of proportion by the media. It was merely a suggestion by Khalid.”

Dr Mohd Agus adds that UiTM students should not have demonstrated publicly against the proposal.

“Their action will create uneasiness among the non-bumiputras. This is not the way to build good ethnic relations.”

He says that the federal government, through its actions, had played into Pakatan Rakyat’s hands.

“Non-bumiputras will be even angrier with Barisan Nasional. This will affect the government in the Permatang Pauh by-election,’’ says Dr Mohd Agus, adding that Umno made a mistake in fanning the students’ protest.

The UiTM issue reveals a clear split in the government as Gerakan and MCA politicians have come out with statements in support of Khalid’s proposal.

MCA vice-president Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn pointed out that the Cabinet had been receptive to opening similar institutions, like the Mara Junior Science and Matriculation colleges, to non-bumiputra students.

Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat said: “Nobody has denied that (UiTM was built under Article 153 of the Federal Constitution), but when people raise such a proposal or suggestion, is it necessary to pick a quarrel with them?”

And Gerakan treasurer Datuk Ng Chiang Chin commended Khalid “for having the wisdom to be open-minded and thinking like a Malaysian.”

Rights of bumiputras

Rector of Kolej Yayasan Melaka Datuk Dr Ramlah Adam however takes a different point of view. She feels that Khalid’s suggestion impinges on the special rights of the bumiputras, as guaranteed under Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.

UiTM started out as RIDA (Rural Industrial Development Authority), which was established by the British to help bumiputras acquire the skills needed for modern life. RIDA evolved into Institut Teknologi Mara which gained university status in 1999.

“The existence of UiTM is tied to the political bargain made by the British with the Malay rulers, in return for granting Malayan citizenship to non-bumiputras.

“To suggest that 10% of UiTM should be open to non-bumiputras is to go against the constitution. This is something that the Malays are very sensitive about and not willing to accept,’’ says Dr Ramlah, formerly a professor of history at Universiti Malaya.

UiTM student representative council president Luqmannulhakim Mohamad Idris questions Khalid’s sincerity and motive in making the proposal.

“We believe the Selangor MB made a populist statement to attract votes for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Permatang Pauh by-election.”

Luqmannulhakim feels that if Khalid was sincere, he would have channelled his views through the proper authorities.

“He is not interested in the betterment of UiTM,’’ he says, adding that the time was not right for the university to open up as bumiputras had still not achieved 30% equity as envisioned in the New Economic Policy.

Khalid had also said that his proposal was prompted by the need for UiTM students to be competent in a globalised world.

“We take offence at the MB’s statement as it implies that UiTM students are not of good quality. But the reality is different as former Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed has acknowledged that UiTM students are very marketable,” says Luqmannulhakim.

He adds that the council would not be organising any more public demonstrations. “Instead we will go to the ground and explain to UiTM students why the university should not be opened to non-bumiputras and prove to them that UiTM is just as good as other universities.”

Some views

I DON’T have a problem with Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) taking in non-Malays as this will lead to greater competition among the students and result in a higher standing for the university. If UiTM can give opportunities to international students, why not Malaysians? — Rizwana Bashir Ahmad, graduated from UiTM in 2008

I AM am not in favour of the proposal as there are already lots of universities which are open to non-bumis. The number of poor bumi students is still high and the fees at UiTM are much lower so it is more affordable for those from the lower income group. Even if UiTM was open to non-bumis, I don’t think many of them would want to study there. — Alisa Sudirman, graduated in 2001

I AM against the proposal as UiTM is the only higher education institution that caters solely to bumis. UiTM has a long history which dates back to 1956. I think we should be mindful of the history and traditions behind its establishment. To me that is the beauty of UiTM and we must protect this. — Fahmir Rizal Razali, graduated in 2004

I SUPPORT the proposal as I think it is not fair that non-bumis are not given an opportunity to study at UiTM. The fees are much lower than at other public universities. It is good for UiTM students to be able to compete with the non-bumis, especially the Chinese. — Faezah Turkey, graduated in 2007

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