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As Malaysia tackles a RM1 trillion national debt, it may be wise for Lim Guan Eng to focus on revitalising the economy than to whip up a confrontation with his own community over a RM30mil grant
WHEN Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, in his Budget 2019 presented early this month, removed the RM30mil matching grant for Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC), it hurt not just the MCA but also the Chinese community.
The government will provide a mere RM5.5mil as development fund to TAR UC. The fuming Chinese community is now taking up the issue as TAR UC, along with Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), another institution of higher learning linked to MCA, has provided affordable education to many Chinese students over the past 50 years.
The removal of the matching grant to TAR UC – an annual amount given by the Barisan Nasional government to the university college previously to match the funds it raised – will negatively impact its continued survival.
Hence, emotive comments against Lim have been dominating the vernacular media since the grant issue emerged.
A petition against the Finance Ministry has also been launched.
Notably, though they are two non-profit institutions set up by MCA – TAR UC in 1969 and UTAR in 2001 – they are now seen as part and parcel of the Chinese community, which has been supporting their operation and expansion with billions in cash donations and land.
The late philanthropist of Penang, Tan Sri Loh Boon Siew, told me in an interview in 1991 that he had contributed land and cash to TAR UC. Other Chinese tycoons, too, have privately shared such information with me.
Together with the matching grants from the government totalling RM1.353bil over the last 50 years, MCA was able to expand the reach of the university college, from Setapak to Penang, Sabah and Pahang.
In the last 17 years, MCA also built UTAR campuses in Sungai Long (Selangor) and Kampar (Perak).
In the five decades since TAR UC started, children from poor Chinese families and other ethnic groups, regardless of political leanings, have benefitted from the education offered by it due to its affordable fees.
In fact, TAR UC and UTAR are two of MCA’s best non-political projects which have contributed tremendously to the Chinese society, to compensate for its past failure to safeguard Chinese rights in the Umno-dominated Barisan regime.
Putting into historical context, TAR UC – which started as TAR College before being upgraded to university college status in 2013 – was a product of political compromise when non-bumiputra student intake into the five public universities then was limited by the introduction of the bumiputra quota. The one-to-one matching grant enabled TAR UC to provide an avenue for higher education for those from the lower-income group as well as performing students denied entry into public universities by the quota system.
Hence on Sept 15, 1972, Datuk Hussein Onn, the then-Education Minister, handed over the Instrument of Government to the institution.
A 77ha plot in Setapak was allocated for the construction of TAR College’s main campus.
Later, UTAR was set up and officially launched on Aug 13, 2002, by then Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad after higher education in the private sector was liberalised.
According to MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, some 200,000 students have graduated from TAR UC/UTAR over the past 50 years.
Currently, the student population in the two institutions totals 28,000. Employees stand at 1,500 (60% Chinese, 40% non-Chinese).
These figures show that not just the Chinese have benefitted from the existence of UTAR and TAR UC but the Malays and Indians as well.
Among the Pakatan Harapan leaders who were beneficiaries of the TAR affordable education are Cabinet ministers Teresa Kok, Datuk Salahuddin Ayub and Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail as well as Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and exco member Chong Eng.
As these two institutions have become integral to the Chinese community, it is natural that vernacular newspapers are following closely the developments in this issue.
From the writing in the Chinese media, it can be seen that this issue is threatening to become a “Chinese community vs LGE/DAP” confrontation. This may not augur well for Lim.
While there are people who agree with Lim’s argument to separate education from politics, and that MCA must cut its links with these institutions, they form a miserable minority.
In a strongly worded comment piece “Play-killing UTAR”, Sin Chew Daily deputy editor-in-chief Tay Tian Yan points out that in speaking up on the grant issue, it is not meant to support MCA, but to show concern for the future generations of the Chinese community, particularly those from the poorer classes.
In response to Lim’s warning to MCA that the two institutions cannot raise tuition fees, Tay concludes: “UTAR will die an eventual death if it cannot raise fees and is not given a grant. What will be the future of our Chinese youth?”
Generally, Lim is seen as abusing his power to punish his political rivals and in the process undermine the interest of his very own community.
Such political gimmicks should be stopped when dealing with taxpayers’ money, given that 80% of the country’s revenue is contributed by Chinese businesses and individuals in the form of taxes.
For many people, it is particularly repugnant when Lim threatened to “take action” against MCA if the institutions raise tuition fees.
In a China Press editorial yesterday, Lim was reminded that last year when he was Penang Chief Minister, he had said education allocations to schools should be given regardless of political backgrounds. And he acted fairly.
“But after LGE became Finance Minister, his statement last year on equality dissipated. Shouldn’t the former Penang CM give a big scolding to the current Finance Minister?” asks the writer mockingly.
The Pakatan government has also been reminded that 95% of Chinese voted them in to oust the previous administration in the May 9 general election. Their support should not be taken for granted and forgotten.
In short, TAR UC and UTAR should not be penalised just because of their parental link with MCA.
Looking at national development, these two institutions have nurtured much talent to serve the country, particularly in the field of accountancy.
File photo of UTAR's Faculty of Business and Finance in Kampar, Perak.
In fact, from my own observations, these institutions are more professionally run than many other private colleges and universities.
For this reason, and for their affordable fees, my husband and I sent our daughter to study in UTAR. She graduated last June.
As the country is confronted with a slowing economy and has to tackle a national debt of over RM1 trillion, it may be wiser for Lim to focus on revitalising the economy and other bigger national issues than to whip up a confrontation with his own community over a RM30mil grant.
Varsity grads: Chew says he is disappointed
with Lim for removing the matching grants when some leaders like (from
left) Kok, Salahuddin and Saifuddin were products of the MCA-linked
institutions.
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA has pointed out that several Pakatan Harapan leaders were beneficiaries of MCA-linked institutions of higher learning.
MCA central committee member Datuk Chew Kok Woh named ministers Teresa Kok, Datuk Salahuddin Ayub and Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail as the beneficiaries.
He said even Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and state executive councillor Chong Eng were products of Tunku Abdul Rahman University College, then known as KTAR, and now TAR UC.
Chew expressed disappointment that Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng had removed matching grants to TAR UC.
He said although TAR UC and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman were set up by MCA, they were never used for political reasons, saying all the graduates could verify TAR UC and UTAR were apolitical.
He said these institutions were professionally run, adding Lim’s decision spoke volumes about his “politics of vindictiveness”.
In fact, he said, the decision was a timely reminder that DAP had done nothing for education except to criticise.
“What has DAP done for Chinese education? Name us one,” he said in a statement.
He said DAP should not punish parents and students by depriving them of affordable education because of political reasons.
Chew feared that Lim’s action would lead to higher tuition fees at these institutions.
He said many parents, who could not afford private colleges and universities, depended on TAR UC and UTAR.
Chew said the two institutions had produced more than 180,000 graduates of high calibre since its inception in 1969, while UTAR has 56,000 graduates since 2005.
“We need to put aside politics to help Malaysians, especially those from the lower-income background,” he said.
Chew said TAR UC and UTAR graduates, including these Pakatan leaders, could vouch that these two institutions were not “MCA indoctrination centres”.
It was recently announced by Lim that the government would only allocate a RM5.5mil development fund for UTAR and TAR UC, instead of a RM30mil matching grant for TAR UC.
Lim insisted that both education institutes break off ties with MCA before the government provides more allocation for the two institutions.
In the Dewan Rakyat, Ayer Hitam MP and MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong debated with Lim, stating that the matching grants were vital to help ensure lower student fees for the two institutions.
On Facebook, Dr Wee expressed his disappointment in the Finance Minister’s reply, adding that TAR UC was wholly owned by the TARC Education Foundation and should not be seen as part of MCA’s assets, and that the university college also submitted audited accounts to the Education Ministry every year.
Dr Wee also told reporters in Parliament House that TAR UC might have to increase its fees to cover operational costs.
Founded in February 1969 as KTAR, the institute was upgraded to university college status in May 2013 and renamed TAR UC.- The Star
WHEN Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, in his Budget 2019
presented early this month, removed the RM30mil matching grant for Tunku
Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC), it hurt not just the MCA but
also the Chinese community. The government will provide a mere RM5.5mil
as development fund to TAR UC.
UTAR's Faculty of Business and Finance in Kampar, Perak.
‘Citizen Liow’ vents his frustration in short film
KUALA LUMPUR: It is Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai as we have never seen him before – shabby, dispirited and a little rude.
Without his signature full-rim spectacles, Liow, playing an ordinary citizen in a video with a poignant but powerful message, vents his spleen about the country’s current mood.
From the hurtful balik tongsan comment to corrupt practices, Citizen Liow is determined to get his frustrations off his chest.
He even throws a fistful of sweets at a guest in his home. The guest is also played by Liow, who essentially portrays his everyday role of a politician.
The on-screen sparring between both Liows is a creative, yet brutally frank, account of the general sentiments of the local Chinese community.
It is almost painful to watch the heated encounter, but that is exactly why the six minute-long video Citizens is so compelling.
Producers Pete Teo and Liew Seng Tat did not attempt to paint a rosy and glowing picture even though the clip was meant for the upcoming National Day celebrations.
The video boldly addresses the grievances and fears of the Chinese community in Malaysia, which means there will inevitably be “anger, helplessness and conflict”, as Teo explained on his Facebook.
Liow, in his real life as Transport Minister, Bentong MP and especially MCA president, must have often been at the receiving end of the kind of harsh comments hurled by “Citizen Liow” in the clip.
“Politicians only know how to talk!” is perhaps the most common sweeping statement that disregards the efforts and contributions of community and government leaders. In the video, Liow the politician admits there are shortcomings.
The seasoned politician says: “I can find excuses and try to defend ourselves by saying that circumstances do not work in our favour, but no, I won’t do that.”
“We didn’t say there weren’t mistakes. We did not handle many things well, but it is not easy to rule a country.”
“We have seen many politicians from both sides dwelling on the negatives when support for them fades. This alienates the people even further,” he said.
With the National Day just days away, the video is a timely reminder to those with political ambitions to reflect on their vision for the country.
Similarly, the public can look back at the past 60 years of the country’s development, from a mining and agricultural-based economy to today’s multi-sector economy anchored in manufacturing and services.
Of course, there will always be challenges and sacrifices as we progress. Good governance is a must if we are to continue on that path of growth and prosperity.
But as Citizens reminds us, it is important not to lose hope. We must believe that our founding father Tunku Abdul Rahman’s vision of Malaysia will come true.
At the end of the video, “Citizen Liow” has a change of heart. He quietly retrieves the Jalur Gemilang from storage and displays it on his balcony, with his real-life wife Datin Seri Lee Sun Loo at his side.
When met by reporters yesterday, Liow was visibly pleased with how the video has turned out. He said the message he wanted to send through the video was for Malaysians to unite and work together to make the country a progressive nation.
“We love this nation. We are proud to be Malaysians and we are working hard to make this country a stronger nation. That’s the aspiration and message we want to send out,” he said.
By Tho Xin Yi The Star/ANN
‘Youths worry about future, not politics’
Future wave: Liow and Chong (second from left) sharing a light moment with students after the TN50 DialogueUTAR in the Sungai Long Campus.
CHERAS: Youths are more concerned about their future than politics. This is the feedback gathered during the recent TN50 dialogues with students from several universities, said MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
“However, I don’t think they are indifferent towards politics. They are aware of issues.
“For instance, they know that this is about TN50 and about a future that they want,” Liow said after attending a TN50 Dialogue @UTAR with 700 students at UTAR Sungai Long Campus here yesterday.
He cited education and health issues, including the ability to earn a decent living, as some of the aspirations raised by the students during the hour-long dialogue session.
Liow said it is crucial for youths to continue upholding the core value system practised by Barisan Nasional.
He added that Barisan’s core values such as consensus, mutual respect, unity, cooperation and harmony are shared by Malaysians.
“Barisan upholds values of consensus and mutual respect but DAP is sowing the seeds of hatred. The party is also sowing the seeds of anger towards the Government which is causing a split in our society,” he said.
Liow added that the Opposition lacked the core values and was now in a chaotic state.
There was a casual air about the dialogue session where students were asked by moderator MCA youth chief Datuk Chong Sin Woon to address Liow as “Ah Liow” and himself as “Ah Chong”.
Earlier during the dialogue, Chong warned students to be wary of fake news on social media.
“The reality is that most news on social media are fake.
“You should check the source and not blindly believe all that you read,” he said.
He also said that youths were more concerned about “bread and butter” issues rather that politics.
At another function, Liow said more skilled workers were needed as the country progresses.
“It is important for us to train more technical professionals. For MCA, we would like to expand VTAR Institute because of our significant growth in students from 100 to 700 in these few years.
“We will find the right place to expand VTAR and we hope to have more than 1,000 students here,” he told reporters after launching the PW2 wireman competency licence course at the institute in Setapak here yesterday.
VTAR is the vocational education arm of MCA.
Earlier during the function, VTAR CEO Tan Cheng Liang signed a memorandum of understanding with the Federation of Malaysian Electrical Appliances Dealers Association (Fomeda) president Gan Cheng Swee to run the PW2 programme. - The Star
'Citizen Liow' plays dual role in National Day video
国民 CITIZENS
https://youtu.be/4aL7AdI9qdU
A screengrab from the video short "Citizens".
PETALING JAYA: You're not seeing double – it really is Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai playing two roles in a National Day video by producers Pete Teo and Liew Seng Tat.
The six minute-long video short entitled Citizens was released on Monday in conjunction with the upcoming National Day celebrations.
In the video, he portrays himself in his everyday role as Transport Minister, having a no-holds-barred conversation with a citizen who has grouses about the way the country is run – a role also played by Liow.
Liow, the minister, is smartly dressed in a long-sleeved shirt and slacks, while "Citizen Liow" is dressed very casually, with his hair a little unkempt and wearing a grey T-shirt, without spectacles.
Teo, in a Facebook post on Friday, said the project took months to put together.
"Largely this was because the script required a Federal Minister who had the gumption to submit to what we wanted to shoot.
"We kept trying and eventually found our man," he said.
Teo said they did not want to make a film that could be confused for a "tourism video."
Citizens reflects the current mood of the country, especially the fears of the Chinese community.
"It would therefore have to contain anger, helplessness and conflict. Yet it must contain hope – for we are even now not without hope – and so the film should also unite us in hope across the political spectrum," said Teo.
This is not Liow's first film. He previously acted in other 15Malaysia and Hari Malaysia shorts, also produced by Teo.
"What is different this time is that while he was civilly treated as a cabinet minister before, he will be brutalised this time; and while he was stereotyped as a politician before, he is now a human being – filled with the same fears, regret, conflicts and hope as all of us," said Teo, adding that he thought long and hard about the casting.
Also making an appearance in the film is Liow's wife Datin Seri Lee Sun Loo.
Teo said that it took courage for Liow, who is MCA president, to act in the film especially since he and MCA "are deeply maligned in sections of the Chinese community".
‘Citizens’ Liow trends at second spot
PETALING JAYA: As Pete Teo expected, his National Day video in which Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai plays two roles is gaining traction among Malaysians.
The six-minute clip Citizens clinched the second spot on YouTube’s Malaysian trending list as at yesterday afternoon. It had 127,766 views, trailing Taylor Swift’s new music video. The rest were content related to SEA Games.
In the video, Liow, 56, portrays himself as the Transport Minister having an honest conversation with a citizen, also played by Liow, who has grouses about the way the country is run.
Teo, who produced the video with Liew Seng Tat, was glad to see it attracting attention.
“We expect the video to do well, because we think it is a good video and it has something important to say that goes beyond party politics,” he told The Star.
Teo said there were twice as many likes as dislikes.
He applauded Liow for being able to rise above his persona as MCA president and act as an ordinary citizen.
The video was released on Monday in conjunction with National Day celebrations.
Meanwhile, Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah said the video was “unpretentious and right to the point” and therefore, was well received by the community.
The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zong) president said it rightly captured the country’s current situation.
“A main point stressed is that the situation warrants the need for us to listen to each other, consolidate our strengths, stay united and be loyal to our country.
“This is a way to overcome the challenges, instead of just venting our frustrations,” Pheng said.
Apart from acknowledging the people’s disappointments and empathising with them, he said Liow had been tirelessly reaching out to the community to guide and help them in whatever ways possible.
Pheng pointed out that Liow had to draw on the party’s strengths and his role in the Government to help the community effectively.
In conjunction with National Day, Pheng said it was timely for all Malaysians to reinforce respect, love and tolerance among themselves and for the country so as to move forward together.
'Citizen' producer all praise for Liow - Nation
PETALING JAYA: The producer of the National Day video titled Citizen says it was brave of Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai to come onboard a production which had an “edgy” script.
Saying he would absolutely cast the Transport Minister in such a role again, filmmaker Pete Teo (pic) brushed aside some of the adverse comments on the casting choice.
“We think he did a great job playing the dual role of minister and citizen.
“That his casting is controversial has nothing to do with the job he does.
“We hope Datuk Seri Liow’s contribution will at least be acknowledged in the good spirit that it was given,” Teo said when contacted.
Teo, who produced the clip with writer-director Liew Seng Tat, said they had expected some form of backlash as soon as they decided that the role would be best played by a real-life politician.
“The fact that we eventually cast a Barisan National politician is besides the point, really. If we had picked an Opposition politician, the situation would be the same, except the accusations would be from Barisan supporters.
“So in a way, it was a no-win for us unless we had cast an actor,” he pointed out.
According to Teo, the film would have lost immediacy if they had cast an actor to play the role.
“So the decision was made to cast a politician. In fact, our choices were more limited than that because the script ideally required a Federal Minister.
“This narrowed down the choice to only several people. In the end, Datuk Seri Liow agreed to play the role and we went with him,” he added.
Teo said through the film, he and Liew wanted to drive home the message that it was important not to lose hope and to stay united when the going got tough.
“As said in the film’s opening lines, the last decade or more have been tough for the country. Non-Malay communities, in particular have felt alienated, helpless and fearful.
“That is why we are getting such hyper-emotive response to a Merdeka PSA film promoting hope and unity featuring a serving Cabinet minister from the MCA.
“It would be easy to dismiss these aggressive social media outbursts as rantings of opposition cybertroopers, but these are real people with real grievances,’’ he added.
Teo, a multiple award-winning singer-songwriter, also praised Liow for having the courage to be involved in a film with “brutally frank dialogue”.
“Many have ignored the fact that the minister explicitly said in the film that he doesn’t mind who citizens voted for as long as they let their conscience be their guide.
“This is a massively important statement. It underlines our film’s non-partisan credentials,” Teo said.
In the six-minute video, Liow portrays himself in his everyday role as Transport Minister, having a no-holds barred conversation with a citizen who has grouses about the way the country is run – a role also played by Liow.
The video clocked in more than 200,000 views in four days since it was uploaded on YouTube.
'MCA dares to face criticisms' ,
Liow: We understand the voices and feelings of the people
https://youtu.be/zJWcdKjcDgQ
Liow chatting with China’s Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang.
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA understands the voices and feelings of the people and dares to face criticism, said Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
The party president said having understood the people’s grievances, MCA is committed to overcoming the problems.
“I must stress here that I am aware of the people’s opinions and feelings. Therefore, I am willing to face the reality as I know that is the only way for us to change for the better,” he said.
Liow, speaking at the Blossom Arts Festival Malaysia (BAFM) 2017 awards ceremony and closing at Wisma MCA last night, was responding to some of the responses towards his double role in “Citizens”, a National Day video.
https://youtu.be/4aL7AdI9qdU
In the clip produced by Pete Teo and Liew Seng Tat, Liow portrays himself as the Transport Minister having an honest conversation with a citizen, also played by Liow, who has grouses about the way the country is run.
Liow also explained that the video aimed at telling people to have faith in the country and never give up, besides showcasing the inner voices of a Cabinet minister and a layman.
Liow added that MCA is steadfast in performing its role in Barisan Nasional.
“We will continue to be the defender of the Federal Constitution, the corrector and the balancing force against hegemony.
“History would reveal that during critical moments, be it fighting for citizenship, persistency on multi-stream education, pushing for the establishment of National Economic Action Council or the recent movement against PAS’ Private Member’s Bill to amend Act 355, MCA has been consistent in playing its role in Barisan,” he said.
Meanwhile, MCA vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said the next edition of BAFM would be put on hold pending the general election.
“My comrades and I, as well as MCA staff, must turn our full attention towards preparing for the coming general election,” Chew, who is also the Malaysian Chinese Culture and Arts Consultative Council chairman and BAFM organising chairman, said.
Big celebration: Drummers performing during the closing ceremony of the Blossom Arts Festival Malaysia at Wisma MCA. (Right) Liow chatting with China’s Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang.
She said BAFM has received the attention of foreign academicians.
Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Department of Cultural and Religious Studies, for instance, sent professors and students to observe the event, she added.
“If we persevere, we are confident of becoming a household name and a premier event among artists,” she said in her speech.
The month-long BAFM concluded yesterday. Also present at the event was China’s ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang.
Young people are aware that career success is only possible if they pursue higher studies and are armed with the right skills and knowledge.
AS the demand for highly skilled and knowledgeable workers intensifies in the knowledge-based economy, so does the demand for higher education.
Indeed, higher education plays an increasingly significant role in this dynamic and integrated world economy.
There is much evidence in research literature that show the positive correlation between higher education and economic development.
In addition, pursuing higher education is seen as an important pathway to career success. However, as tertiary studies become more accessible to the masses, there are concerns on the value of higher education.
Based on the classification of the Education Ministry, the higher education sector in Malaysia consists primarily of universities, university colleges, colleges, polytechnics and community colleges.
An online survey was conducted recently where 298 respondents participated. More than 80% of the respondents were students in public and private higher education institutions in Malaysia while the rest were random respondents.
The data from this survey was collected through the UTAR (Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman) Opinion Poll (http://poll.utar.edu.my/), an online platform developed by the varsity to collect public opinion on current issues, particularly issues faced by youth in the country.
Seeking jobs
The survey revealed that the two reason for pursuing a university or college education were to get a decent job and earn a higher salary.
The value of higher education in providing access to improved jobs, better earnings and career prospects is an important driving force for people to invest in higher education.
Other important values of higher education as highlighted in the survey include promoting social mobility and gaining self-fulfilment.
In the survey, when respondents were asked about what kind of knowledge should be emphasised and delivered by higher education, students and non-student respondents gave somewhat different feedback.
Student respondents placed great emphasis on the provision of professional knowledge that would prepare them with the information and knowledge required for a professional career while career-related knowledge came in second.
For non-student respondents (consisting of respondents working in different professions and 67% of them have a degree), they are of the opinion that higher education should firstly prepare students for good citizenship and to be well-versed in general knowledge.
This was then followed by the preparation for a professional career and a job.
The survey also revealed that vocational or technical knowledge to prepare students with technical skills has not been seen as a priority for higher education.
Due to the burgeoning number of higher education institutions, particularly private higher education institutions in the country since the introduction of the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act in 1996, higher education has changed from a social institution to an industry and is increasingly perceived as a profit-making industry.
About 75% of the respondents felt that higher education was becoming “commercialised” and profit-oriented, thus creating the varying standards of higher education institutions, and the programmes offered in the country.
The diverse quality has somehow contributed to the diminishing value of a higher education degree.
It has also led to the distorting job market signalling effect of an academic degree in the employment market.
Hence, more efforts in screening and filtering are required during recruitment to help employers hire the right candidate with the relevant requirements.
In order to ensure the quality of higher education in the country, it is crucial for the authorities to develop a reliable and effective mechanism to closely monitor and assess the quality of teaching and learning in higher education institutions in Malaysia.
“Too-examination oriented” is the general perception of the respondents (78.3%t) on the current higher education system in Malaysia.
This is associated with the feedback that higher education institutions should provide more practical training opportunities and industry exposure to students.
The curriculum design should consider incorporating innovative teaching and learning methods. This would include problem-based learning, project-based assignments, case studies or experiential learning, rather than the traditional lecture-based method.
Internship is found to be an effective way for students to gain hands-on learning experience.
Non-student respondents were asked to give comments and their perception on the performance of students in the higher education institutions.
The majority of them (80.6%) felt that our students are lacking in international exposure.
It would be a disadvantage if we are not preparing our students and equipping them with global competence skills to compete in the global economy.
International internships.
Many universities around the world, particularly universities in Europe and North America, have incorporated into their curriculum at least one semester of study abroad or international internships.
Compared to these universities, we are lagging behind in this aspect.
Higher education institutions in Malaysia should participate more actively in internationalisation initiatives, particularly international student exchange programmes to provide students the opportunity to acquire global experience during their studies.
Another major comment is related to students’ lack of good communication skills.
In fact, this is not a new finding. We often read reports or hear comments about the inadequacies of our students in communication skills.
It is not so much of a language barrier, but more related to the capability to express and deliver one’s idea and messages clearly and correctly.
Interestingly, when student respondents were asked to reveal what skills they acquired in university or college, communication skills topped the list as the skills most acquired.
This is something that needs further investigation.
The higher education system is undergoing dramatic changes due to many underlying factors, particularly technology innovation, emergence of knowledge economy, shifting demographics and globalisation.
The role and value of higher education has somehow changed as well.
It is important for us to review the best practices to prepare students to succeed in the increasingly dynamic world and to produce the “right” knowledge workers for society.
This article sheds light on some of the issues in Malaysian higher education as perceived by students and general respondents.
By Prof Cheng Ming Yu The Star/Asia News Network
The writer is a Professor at the Department of Economics, Faculty of Accountancy and Management at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman. This is the final article in a series of STEM for life-themed articles published in our pullout.
IN
our previous article (Stem education for life to reach new heights) we
talked about the engineering feats of the 20th century, what STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) stands for and some
ways to...
The second part of the series looks at the part STEM has to play in ensuring a better future for all Malaysians.
IN our previous article (Stem education for life to reach new heights) we talked about the engineering feats of the
20th century, what STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics) stands for and some ways to promote STEM among students. In
this article, we will talk about the importance of STEM education for
key professions and for the future of the nation.
In 2007, 30%
of the total tertiary education-age population in Malaysia was enrolled
in tertiary education. In 1999 it was 23%. Malaysia targets that by
2020, this total will increase to 50% and out of that 60% will be in
STEM. To meet this target, ground work has to start now.
Currently, it is estimated that about 37% of secondary school
students are in the Science stream. It is worrying if there is a decline
in the number of students enrolling in the Science stream.
If
our country is to move forward to compete with the rest of the world and
to be sustainable in the future, we need more scientists,
mathematicians, engineers and technologists to manage our natural
resources and to look into renewable resources for future growth and
sustainability. More talents and more qualified manpower are required to
drive the country.
The United States Department of Commerce in the 2013 article STEM: Good Jobs Now and for the Future
(www.esa.doc.gov) stated that “STEM workers drive our nation’s
innovation and competitiveness by generating new ideas, new companies
and new industries. However, US businesses frequently voice concerns
over the supply and availability of STEM workers. Over the past 10
years, growth in STEM jobs was three times as fast as growth in non-STEM
jobs.” Perhaps this is an indication of a trend that could eventually
affect Malaysia as well.
According to an employment website
survey in August 2013 based on a year’s data that among the top 10
highest paid jobs in Malaysia, most tend to be technical or science
based. At the executive level, those who specialised in medicine,
engineering, finance and information technology (IT) generally earned
above-average salaries, while those at managerial levels and higher who
received better compensations were in the fields of IT, science and
engineering.
It was also reported that, out of the top 10 best
paying jobs for fresh graduates, seven of the jobs are STEM related
(doctors, engineering/IT, geophysics, aviation, actuarial science, IT
software, financial services).
Perhaps, with this knowledge in
mind, students in schools could be informed to pursue STEM subjects and
venture into tertiary education in STEM-related fields of study. Most
students in secondary schools have little idea of what to pursue at
tertiary level and little knowledge of what career path to take. Perhaps
with the knowledge of possible successful careers and pathways in STEM,
students could make informed decisions on what subjects to take and
that would lead them to more visible outcomes.
Most students have
the view that mathematics and science subjects are more technical and
difficult subjects to learn and score in exams. Hence, they shy away
from choosing the Science stream and this may prevent them from choosing
a career in STEM-related fields.
However, if learning is made
more practical, fun, methodical and interesting with key fundamental
concepts of STEM introduced even from primary school and slowly built up
to secondary school, more students would enjoy learning STEM subjects
and perhaps perform better in them in lower secondary. This would make
the transition into the Science stream easier at Form Four. The grooming
of a potential pool of talent has to start from school right up to
tertiary level. It might be too late trying to encourage more students
into STEM-related studies at tertiary level and by then there might also
be too few in the pool to select the best talents from.
STEM
education should perhaps be elevated as a national priority, considering
the implications for the future. With this in mind, the ASEAN Academy
of Engineering and Technology (AAET), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
(Utar), the Malaysian Industry Group for High Technology (MIGHT), the
Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), and the National Science Centre
(NSC) came together to organise the Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science
Fair 2014 (KLESF).
The inaugural fair was held in April 2014 and
the event, which will be held annually, aims to promote STEM and serve
as a decisive step to arrest the declining interest among school
students in STEM. KLESF brought together a community of stakeholders,
research and education communities, professionals and industry partners
to support the Government’s Science to Action (S2A) programme to promote
science and technology as the key drivers of innovation, research,
development and enterprise for the nation.
KLESF 2014 attracted
more than 100 government schools and more than 50,000 visitors
comprising mostly school children and teachers.
In tandem with
KLESF is the Utar School Mentorship Programme, in which Utar academics
work with school teachers in selected needy schools, sponsoring
equipment and working with students on hands-on science-based projects,
which were showcased during KLESF. The students, in this mentorship
programme, learnt to make mini robots and conducted scientific
experiments, highlighting the fun aspects of learning Science.
The waves of technological revolutions that happened from the 18th to
the 20th century resulted in super highways, integrated multimedia
networks, speedy transportation, automation and super crops with
bountiful harvests. If we think of the next century and the future to
come, a lot needs to be done now.
We now have about seven billion
people on earth. The global population could reach nine billion by the
year 2050. In 2010, 3.5 billion (50.5%) lived in cities and more are
moving into cities each day. This means fewer and fewer people work in
farms, growing food that we need, and more infrastructure is needed in
the cities to support the growing population. Healthier food, clean
water, well-planned housing and clean air are required for
better-quality life in the cities.
The level of urbanisation is
rising throughout the world resulting in more pollution, depletion of
natural resources, global warming and the increasing need to source
clean water. Problems are getting more complex and the challenges are
greater. The world needs a great pool of talented people especially
scientists, architects, engineers and more STEM-based qualified
professionals to help with new inventions, seek solutions, soothe this
expanding world and solve current and impending environmental problems.
Most of all, these talents need to look into renewable energies for the
future as our natural resources are being depleted and wasted.
Therefore, it is imperative to keep our youths and students in schools
interested in STEM; for our teachers to find more interesting ways of
teaching STEM subjects; our parents to encourage their children to
discover the wonders of science and for our government to look into
policies that promote STEM education and develop a curriculum that will
encompass the nation’s future needs.
Contributed by Prof Dr Lee Sze Wei
The writer, an
AAET Fellow, is the vice-president of Research and Development and
Commercialisation, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar).
Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei Vice President, R&D and Commercialisation
UTAR
Prof. Dr. Lee Sze Wei was born in Malaysia in 1970. He obtained BEng
(Hons) in Electronics and Optoelectronics, MPhil., and PhD from
University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, UK in
1995, 1996, and 1998 respectively. He was in Multimedia University, from
1999 to 2008 before joining Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) in Oct
2008. He is currently the Vice President (Research, Development and
Commercialisation) and of UTAR. He specializes in telecommunication
engineering. He has been involved in various industry-university
collaborative research projects and providing training programmes to the
industry aimed at updating and upgrading the knowledge and skill of
technologists and engineers in the industry. http://crest.my/v2/prof-lee-sze-wei/
