By Norman Fernandez
Deputy Chairman, DAP Johor.
Tuan Syed,
Salam and Happy New Year.
Reading today's Star paper, I came accross an advertisement at pg. 21 of Intensive English Training offered by an institution called International University of Malaya-Wales Sdn Bhd.
I am wondering how did the Registrar of Company approve a name which bears close resemblance to a premier university in Malaysia - University Malaya. Secondly, isn't the word "university" gazetted or could anyone form a Sdn Bhd University? Lastly, is it not the government and the Minister of (Higher) Education who can sanction this accreditation status ?
My fear is that this will open up the floodgates to misuse and deception very similar to the situation in United States where thousands of degree mills with names similar to renowned universities offer degrees to doctorates to gullible people including to those who wish to buy these qualifications in order to deceive others.
Are we also going to see a stream of Africans coming into Malaysia with a letter of offer from International University of Malaya and the immigration officers unable to distinguish between the real McCoy and the dud, between the real and prestigious University Malaya and a Sdn Bhd incorporated International University of Malaya.
Tuan Syed,
I dare say, unless action and immediate action is taken there is a serious and real (danger?) including the loss of reputation. Next, we may have Ustaz "Bombay" and the likes of him also opening his own Sdn Bhd universities.
You know all the "high up's". Maybe you can pass it on or highlight in your blog. If the authorities have no objection to International University of Malaya Sdn Bhd, then maybe I too wish to start my own Sdn Bhd university - maybe University Johor Sdn Bhd. How ?
Norman Fernandez
My comments : Thank you for highlighting this. As a practising lawyer, you may be better aware of the legalities and the gazetting requirements of using the word 'university'. A few years ago there was a lot of controversy over the upgrading of colleges to universities.
Finally many private colleges became 'university-colleges'. So what is the criteria behind a Sdn Bhd university?
I hope the rightful authorities wake up and rub the sleep from their eyes.
7 comments:
Dear Norman/Tuan Syed,
International University of Malaysia - Wales is actually the private wing of UMalaya going into the lucrative Private IPT (IPTS) sector. I came to know about this early last year and quite surprise by the bold move of UMalaya going into the IPTS sector. I was made to understand that the purpose of the establishment of the private wing is to generate additional income for UMalaya by conducting 'commercialize' courses not conducted at UMalaya such as Professional programs, Diploma etc to lower qualified but financially abled market segment that will not compromise the quality of its holding company (UMalaya).
The question now is whether this current approach of IPTA going into IPTS sector a wise move? Lack of understanding in private eduction sector might cause a reverse effect of the IPTA setup (UMalaya) having to cater for the loss of the IPTS setup (Malaya-Wales) rather than meeting its original objective.
My worst nightmare is coming true.
Very soon an Awang Hitam will become PM of Bolehland unless people who are sleeping on their job wakes up.
Bloody stupid move by univerity Of Malaya. It is going to be screwed up by all the 3rd class foreign students that are good for nothing. Try teaching them - all they do is act stupid and manipulate their way up for their grades. When UM is run by oxy- moron - Going after money but not virtue of knowledge. Stupid fool.
UM lecturer
This is the trouble with democracy.
It is 'my right' to do this etc.
Time to bring back sanctity and sanity to an overly permissive society.
A GOOD MAN DOES NOTHING.
this is private entity owned by University Malaya.I thought UM also own several private investments in education sector as well.
Please google Uniten (Universiti Tenaga Nasional) or go to their website.
Above the page you could see "Arabic version" where if you click it, the whole Uniten website will be in Arabic.
I'm not sure they teach anything in arabic in Uniten, but as far as i know, if you want to study here, at least you should know english.
Hello Norman/Tuan Syed,
I am an academic staff of IUMW. However, what I say only reflects my personal views rather than the views of the organisation. IUMW was established as a collaborative effort by the University of Malaya and the University of Wales.
To my knowledge, the reason behind the terms 'Sdn Bhd' being there was because we were yet to receive approval from the Ministry of Higher Education to run 'as a university'. Hence all forms of communication content had to carry the term 'Sdn Bhd'. However, we have received our approval from MOHE on 13th March 2013 and have used our university name thereafter. Apologies for the confusion. If you have any further enquiries, you may email to enquiry@iumw.edu.my or call 03-26173198.
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