UiTM students protesting non-Bumi admission stuck in the past, says academic
UiTM students protesting non-Bumi admission stuck in the past, says academic
PETALING JAYA: An academic has slammed the student body of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) for pushing back against calls to admit non-Bumiputera students to its cardiothoracic surgery postgraduate programme, saying their stance reflects an outdated mindset.
UCSI University professor Tajuddin Rasdi said the students were seeking to defend UiTM’s founding objectives as a Bumiputera-only institution without understanding its context in national history and current needs.
He said UiTM was founded through the openness of the country’s other ethnic groups who were prepared to allow Bumiputera students the opportunity to pursue higher education to address the economic disadvantages faced by the community at the time.
“Allowing a few non-Bumiputeras in for a temporary period will show our appreciation for past leaders of various ethnic groups who allowed public funds to be used for such purposes,” Tajuddin told FMT.
On Thursday, UiTM’s student representative council launched a protest against calls to admit non-Bumiputera students to its cardiothoracic surgery postgraduate programme by urging all students to wear black.
DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :
- Antara Kerusi, Meja & JAIM, Siapa Yang Bermasalah
- DAP bertambah kukuh dan kuat kerana Mahathir
- Balai Polis Ulu Tiram Di Serang, 2 Anggota Terkorban
PAS Mula Anggap PPBM Sebagai Liabiliti Dalam Perikatan Nasional?
It said all its 214 members were intent on firmly defending UiTM’s founding objectives as an institution for the Malays, Orang Asli and the Bumiputeras of Sabah and Sarawak.
The protest came after the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) urged UiTM last week to prioritise public health by temporarily opening its cardiothoracic surgery postgraduate programme to non-Bumiputera students amid a shortage of specialists and surgeons in the field.
Health news portal CodeBlue recently reported that UiTM was willing to “temporarily” accept non-Bumiputera trainees into its cardiothoracic surgery programme.
The suggestion was made by Dr Raja Amin Raja Mokhtar of UiTM’s medical faculty to resolve an impasse that had arisen after the Malaysian Medical Council refused to recognise qualifications secured under the health ministry’s parallel pathway programme.
However, higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said his ministry had not considered loosening the university’s admission policies for the purpose and said speculation on the matter was turning the issue into a polemic.
DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :
- KP UMNO Berang Kerana Murid Duduk Atas Lantai Di Bilik Darjah
- Selepas Perlis Satu Lagi Negeri PAS Di Serbu SPRM
- Titah Agong dulu atau Agong baru bukan persoalan, tapi titah mesti diakur.
Meanwhile, Johan Ariffin Samad, a member of the G25 group, described the students’ action as “premature” since the proposal was restricted to only one course.
The former deputy director of Sabah Foundation said the institution’s students were missing out on an opportunity for discourse as to whether the university should become more inclusive.
“A university is supposed to be a laissez-faire of ideas where you can think and discuss openly without any recriminations,” Johan said.
Former Sungai Benut MP Tawfik Ismail described the students’ actions as “emotional” and “narrow-minded”, saying MMA’s suggestion was practical given the predicament the country was in.
He said students should focus on more significant issues, such as defending the plight of the Palestinian people who are facing Israeli atrocities.
“There are many issues that students should be paying attention to, but they are focusing on trivial matters, which I don’t understand.
“Their priorities are not broad enough. As students, where has their idealism gone?” he said.
UiTM students protesting non-Bumi admission stuck in the past, says academic
DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :
- Helikopter Yang Bawa Presiden Iran Terhempas
- Isu Penjualan Saham MAHB: Kerajaan Mesti Berikan Penjelasan Yang Jujur
- Gelombang Hijau terbantut ,dijangka malap tidak sampai PRU16.
