Political Party Should Not Interfere With University Administration

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw reiterates that no political party should interfere with university administration such as appointment of professors and enrolment.

On 20.3.2012, Dr Tan comments on the conferment of autonomy to five public universities in Malaysia. Lets hope that there is genuine autonomy.

Yesterday, the Higher Education Minister YB Datuk Seri Khalid Nordin confirmed in parliament that the ministry had given autonomy to UM, UKM,USM, UPM and UTM. This was to make them more dynamic, more competitive and able to compete globally.

This country has 20 public universities. In the 2012 Times ratings, none are within the top 400 universities in the world. For example, the top is California Technical College,Hong Kong University is 34,Singapore National University 40, Beijing University 49 and Taiwan National University 154. The criteria for ratings such as percentage of graduate marketability, high-impact research and the number of international students are controversial. Nevertheless, the quality of Malaysian universities has to be raised.

After attaining autonomy, these universities must develop in all aspects. We continue to monitor.

We stress that there should be no interference of public universities by any political party in their administration, finance, human resource, academic management and enrolment.

Tan Seng Giaw