I Remember the University of Malaya

Those were the days. UM was considered the best University of Malaysia. During the late 60s, only the best and brightest students could enter UM.

I did not even bother to apply, as I did not think my results would be good enough. At the time, my reasoning was that my family could not afford to have me spend three or four years at further study instead of working and providing some food for the family table.

If I had not obtained a scholarship, I would have probably ended up in a bank and gone the study cum work route as that was a common option for those who could not afford to do a university course.

Many of my Sixth Form classmates entered UM as they were brilliant students and about a dozen of them did medicine, dentistry, engineering and science.
UM always had a kind of aura of scholarly appeal or snobbery but those glory days are long over.

Unfortunately politics has played a major role in the demise of the old UM. Now it seems to be a shadow of its past achievements. It is time for Malaysia to consider a retreat action away from global competitiveness and become a “has-been” nation.

How else can we explain the deteriorating standards in so many areas of government?
We clamp down on freedom of thinking in universities, subject university students to medieval dress codes and oppress lecturers who do not share the political preferences of their political masters.

Should universities be controlled by rigid codes in the first place? Some believe that a university is the best area for minds to develop but instead of engaging our young adults in lively debate, we even control the thinking of lecturers with the famous “Akujanji” requirement.

If our lecturers develop a one-track mind of accepting all that the politicians demand, how can our students ever think as mature adults?

Anyone who dares to challenge the entrenched authorities has to make awkward choices but we must acknowledge some brave Malaysians who have decided a make a personal stand.

More Malaysians should have the courage to fight for the future of all Malaysians. Until UM makes concerted efforts to improve its quality, it will remain just a memory of past glory.

photo: http://web.onetel.net.uk/~jmulliken/turkeypics/coastalruins/termessos/termessian%20gymnasium.jpg