Why AUKU Is Vital

I refer to “Time to abolish Universities Act” by Karim Raslan (The Star, Jan 17). 

 

There is much in his writing that is worthwhile.

I share his view that universities should be institutions of holistic learning.

Students should be allowed to think outside the box; to partake in life-changing activities; and to be free to explore the world in its entirety.

However, I have sincere academic objections to some popular assertions in his article.

One is that the stringent control over students’ political activities is contributing to their lack of proficiency in thinking and behavioural skills. I believe that this is unsupported by any evidence.

Politics is not everything. Specifically, the racial and religious politics of Malaysia is hardly an intellectually maturing experience.

Life and learning are enriched by a variety of cultural, interpersonal and educational factors and it is these we should search, seek and ensure.

Laying blame on one sole factor (ban on political affiliations) as a hindrance to educational excellence is to oversimplify a complex situation. It amounts to barking up the wrong tree.

Though Akta Universiti dan Kolej Universiti (AUKU) bans party politics, it explicitly permits students to “become a member of any society, organisation, body or group of persons” whether in or outside the university or in and outside Malaysia. (Read full article).