Universities in Malaysia..

I've forgotten that we have this many public universities... when I attended uni, there were only 6, UUM being the newest spanking uni then. Today there are so many that it is difficult to remember their names.

And this is the time of the year when many are looking into furthering their studies.. and many are waiting for the outcome of their applications for matriculation, JPA scholarships, etc, etc... and many will be disappointed and end up in Form 6, especially the non-bumis.
Our public universities

1. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (Johor)
2. Universiti Tun Hussein Onn (Johor)
3. Universiti Utara Malaysia (Kedah)
4. Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
5. Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (KL)
6. Universiti Malaya (KL)
7. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka
8. Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (NS)
9. Universiti Malaysia Pahang
10. Universiti Sains Malaysia (PP)
11. Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (Perak)
12. Universiti Malaysia Perlis
13. Universiti Malaysia Sabah
14. Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
15. Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (Selangor)
16. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Selangor)
17. Universiti Teknologi MARA (Selangor)
18. Universiti Putra Malaysia (Selangor)
19. Universiti Darul Iman Malaysia (Terengganu)
20. Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

But none of them is in the top 200 of the THES ranking of universities in the world. UM used to be one of the best universities in Asia. I remember being proud to be one of her undergrads. But even at that time, her glory was fading. It was difficult for the non-Bumis to gain entrance. Our grades had to much better to just get a place. Competition was keen among us to get one of those much coveted places. Right now this is the ranking: They are Universiti Malaya (ranked 240), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (250), Universiti Putra Malaysia (320) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (356) while Universiti Sains Malaysia (313).

The scenario hasn't changed much even though it's been almost 2 decades. Competition is still keen among the non-Bumis... but it is also now also keen among the Bumis due to the proliferation of Matriculation Colleges. It's easier to ace the exams at Matriculation Colleges as their exams are internal and the scope of the syllabus, narrower. STPM is a more difficult path. Some say STPM is the 3rd hardest exam at its level in the world! But because of the difficulty, it sorts of toughens one up. And because you're up against a lot, you've got to be consistent, diligent, resilient, etc. It can be quite a defining time of one's life.

I'd like to see Najib carry out his 1Malaysia spirit here in the award of scholarships. The outcomes for the applications for those post Form 5 people are trickling out. My observation within my constraints... So far, the indication still is if you are Malay it is more likely that you will get more than one offer. Most of Malay students who have done well would get multiple offers while the nons would be lucky if they have one. And mind you, I'm talking about kids whose parents come from the same socio-economic backgrounds. It would be good to see his 1Malaysia at work here

But it is also sad to see how quality in our own local institutions has deteriorated over the years and how we have failed to check the slide. While institutions in our neighbouring countries have climbed up the ranking, we have gone the opposite direction. It speaks volumes of our country's policies. A good policy brings better everything... a lousy policy will only see one direction... a downward spiral. NEP is one contributing factor. It cripples and stifles. It gives a false sense of well-being to one group of people. It makes another group more resilient. But it creates discord and snubs fair play. In our Rukunegara... the first principle... Kepercayaan Kepada Tuhan. We teach our kids that God is the master of inequality? Or we tell them, it's okay... we play God out too.

Since I'm at it, look at No 3, Keluhuran Perlembagaan -It's laughable what's happening in Perak.

At No 4, Kedaulatan Undang-Undang - Kugan-gate, the murder case of the woman with no name.. or how some quarters feel they are above the law or they deserve immunity... we forget easily...you come into this world with nothing, so shall you leave.

At No 5, Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan... look at how our Parliamentarians behave in and out of the Parliament.