‘Universities meant for everybody, not a select few’
KUCHING: Any institution of higher learning (IPT) must not be seen as an institution limited only to the smart group, but as one that is open to the whole community.
The Ministry of Education (MoE)’s student intake management division director Mazula Sabudin regards universities as ‘incubators’ that could create intellectuals and a knowledgeable society, in line with the education philosophy of ‘university for all’.
She also says universities are ‘malls of various knowledge’ that would produce leaders, solve problems and shape the Malaysian society that is knowledgeable and maturethinking.
“In this new Malaysia, we want the overall perception of universities be changed so that they can become an open intellectual field. All knowledge, theory, understanding, and thoughts must be openminded,” she said at the opening of ‘Jom Masuk IPT 2019’ Sarawak Zone at Mydin Petra Jaya yesterday.
On the IPT carnival, Mazula said it could attract many visitors, and also help the MoE disseminate information about opportunities in further studies.
“As we know, education is the basic right of a person and it is the responsibility of the government via the ministry and department to provide it as best as possible. As such, our target is to get as many students as possible and offer as many places as possible to schoolleavers.”
The MoE is giving special passes to four groups – the disabled, athletes, aboriginals and the B40 (low-income households that are on the bottom 40 per cent of the population). This policy is a manifestation of the ‘education for all’ concept based on the equal opportunity philosophy.
Mazula also said the ministry was committed to providing facilities, education system and best human capital to ensure that Malaysian could enjoy quality higher education on par with the international standards.
“This is in line with our effort of making quality education as the fourth in our 17 global development targets for 2030.”
The carnival, which concludes today, gathers 50 exhibitors from public and private IPTs, polytechnics, community and vocational colleges and other relevant agencies.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) board of directors chairman Tan Sri Panglima Sulong Matjeraie, and vicechancellor Prof Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi were among those present.