Ironic, contradictory for UiTM to not admit non-Bumiputera students

Focus Malaysia:

Ironic, contradictory for UiTM to not admit non-Bumiputera students

By KT Maran

HIGHER Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry AAbdul Kadir said a total of 5,571 international students have been accepted to study at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) from 2019 to 2023.

In a written parliamentary reply to Labis MP Pang Hok Liong, Zambry said that international student admission is one of the requirements for UiTM to be included in the QS World University Rankings, an annual ranking of universities based on eight key indicators.

He cited an example as in 2019, UiTM was ranked 751st-800th and moved to 555th in 2023 in the QS World University Rankings and the requirements for the Malaysia Research Assessment, also known as MyRA.

He said UiTM accept international student for post graduate level courses giving the following statistical data as follows: 1,634 international students in 2023, 1,873 in 2022, 1,241 in 2021, 547 in 2020 and 276 in 2019.

The above statistical data shows an increase of 800% from only 276 in 2019 to 1,634 in 2023. The goal of the university is to become globally renowned by 2025.

Though the noble goal is appreciated and admired, what is the logic if it does not fulfil the needs of our local shortage where Malaysians are dying due to the lack and shortage of specialists?

Admitting local non-Bumiputra students who will be serving Malaysia is a taboo to UiTM seems to be a mirage. What is the objective of UiTM becoming a global university when it cannot support and assist local citizens from the non-Bumiputera community to serve and fulfil the dire shortage?

Let us look at the reasons universities want to become globally renown university.

Attracting talent: Being globally recognised helps attract top-tier students, faculty, and researchers from around the world, enhancing the institution’s academic and research capabilities.

Funding and resources: High global rankings often lead to increased funding from governments, alumni, and private donors. It also helps in securing research grants and partnerships with industry.

Reputation and prestige: Global recognition enhances the university’s reputation and prestige, which can be leveraged to influence policy, contribute to societal development, and enhance the institution’s overall impact.

Collaboration opportunities: Being a globally recognised institution facilitates international collaborations with other top universities, research institutions, and organisations, leading to more significant research outputs and academic exchanges.

Student employability: Graduates from globally renowned universities often have better job prospects and are more competitive in the global job market, attracting more students to the institution.

Diverse perspectives: A diverse student and faculty body enriches the learning environment by bringing various cultural and intellectual perspectives, fostering innovation and critical thinking.

Global impact: Renowned universities have the opportunity to address global challenges and contribute.

Though the goals and reasons are impressive on paper, morally to trade off “hopes” to achieve globally renowned status against local urgency, where citizens are dying daily due to shortage of experts is ironic and contradictory.

These students who are admitted for postgraduate level courses from foreign countries will definitely return back to their respective countries to serve theirs, not remaining back in Malaysia to serve the country.

Admitting a small number of non-Bumiputera students who are Malaysian citizens who are going serve Malaysia to tackle current shortage will not disqualify nor reduce the duration for UiTM to achieve its objectives.

UiTM is morally and ethically answerable to the stakeholders who are the citizens of Malaysia who pay their taxes upon which UiTM operates. So, to be fair to Malaysia and Malaysians, UiTM must reconsider its adamant policy. – July 19, 2024

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kt comments:

Exclusivity driven by fear, jealousy, arrogance and hatred??