The request by the Higher Education Minister, Datuk Mustapha Mohamed, currently on a seven-day visit to China to promote Malaysia as an educational hub and to strengthen ties with some of the top Chinese universities, makes for strange reading.
Mustapha wants the Chinese government to recognize more Malaysian universities and colleges.
At present, China only recognizes 50 institutions in the public and private sector in Malaysia when their total numbers more than 500.
Mustapha wants more of our educational institutions to be recognized by the Chinese government for obvious reasons. Students from China form the second largest number of foreign students in the country after Indonesia and the Higher Education Ministry is marketing Malaysia aggressively to lure more Chinese students to Malaysia.
There is nothing wrong with such objective or marketing but Mustapha’s request is nonetheless very strange and extraordinary.
Firstly, it has come as news as well as shocker too to Malaysians that the Chinese government has recognized 7 IPTAs (public institutions of higher learning) and 43 IPTSs (private institutions) for two reasons:
- The Chinese government recognizing more Malaysian universities and colleges than the Chinese universities and colleges recognized by the Malaysian government, although many Chinese universities are internationally recognized for their academic merit and excellence while Malaysian universities have disappeared from the international radar of academic excellence as well as the vast difference in numbers of educational institutions between the two countries.
- When China recognizes 43 IPTS and only 7 IPTAs, it is a clear and indisputable sign that the IPTAs, despite their head-starts and public funding, have been overtaken bhy IPTSs in terms of international recognition of academic excellence and repute.
In the recently-released World’s 2007 Times Higher Education Supplement (THES)-Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World Top 200 University Rankings, six Chinese universities made into the Top 200 list while Malaysian universities had been suffering free fall in international rankings in recent years, with not a single one making into the prestigious 200 Top ranking.
The six Chinese universities are:
36. Peking University
40. Tsinghua University
85. Fudan University
125. Nanjing University
155. University of Science and Technology of China
163. Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The THES-QS survey also ranked the Top 100 Universities for five subject areas – Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities; Life Sciences and Biomedicine; and Engineering and Information Technology.
China has two universities, Peking University and Tsinghua University, which are ranked as among the Top 100 Universities in all the five categories. Malaysia is not only excluded from the overall list of the World Top 200 Universities, but completely excluded in all the five categories for Top 100 Universities — when Chulalongkorn University of Thailand made into the Top 100 Universities for Engineering and IT.
Yet Malaysia refuses to accord recognition to the degrees of Peking University and Tsinghua University, ready only to recognize its degrees for Chinese language studies. Isn’t this the height of the ludicrous?
In fact, China has six universities in the Top 100 Life Sciences & Biomedicine (Peking 18, Tsinghua 51, Fudan 52, Nanjing 78, Science and Technology of China 84 and Shanghai Jiao Tong 92); four in the Top 100 Engineering & IT (Tsinghua 16, Peking 36, Science and Technology of China 49 55); and five in the Top 100 Natural Sciences Peking 15, Tsinghua 34, Science and Technology of China 40, Nanjing 76 and Fudan 80).
Why has the Malaysian government not recognized these internationally-acclaimed Chinese universities for their world-class studies and degrees, when Malaysia does not have any equivalent whatsoever?
Isn’t it most strange that a country which has dropped out of world-class university rankings is asking for more recognition for its universities from another country with universities of international repute but which it has refused to recognize?
The Malaysian government should promptly and forthwith recognize all the degrees of Chinese universities which are internationally-recognised as among the world’s top universities, and not just the Chinese Language Studies of four Chinese universities before we can righteously ask China for more recognition of Malaysian universities by Chinese government.
The Malaysian government can impose a condition that such recognition is subject to fluency in English language or Bahasa Malaysia, but it is the height of the ridiculous for the Malaysian government to continue to refuse to accord recognition to the internationally-recognised degrees of Chinese universities — which is a joke in the era of globalization but also self-defeating in losing out in the long run to lure Chinese students to come to Malaysia to further their tertiary studies.
Hahahaha. The stupid trying to teach the smart how to read. Hahaha what a classic.
Uncle Lim,
When you ask them question like these, do you ever get any reply frokm them? I wonder. Because to me,what is written here, is just plain stupid of Mustapha in what he is doing. It continues to make Malaysia as a laughing stock and it gives me an impression that a person like Mustapha, is also a katak in his coconut husk, no vision and ignorant.
Wat you goona do?
Bribe the Chinese?
Money makes the world go round.
The second in command had claimed that the malay brain needs 54 years to developed, so he is just starting to learn. With the way the country is run, he taught that China belongs to the malay as well, so the nep policy have to apply as well.
50 years is ENOUGH
Vote For A Change
Vote For Any Opposition
Give Them A Chance To Change For A Better Malaysia
Remember bn Is A Useless Grouping Of Self Serving, Corrupt, Dictator, Power Crazy, Racist, Kris waving, etc, etc type of parties
Ask Malaysia government to recognise Chinese and Taiwanese universities is just politically not possible. It is not about the quality. We know that their universities are definitely much better than Malaysia judging from the world ranking and graduate quality. But, how many Malay could speak Chinese and write Chinese? That is the crux of the issue. Wake up, friends, this is a globalisation and knowledge economy age. No one could shield from competitions and get protected forever.
Haiya …… just improved on your B.M. …….. cukup lah. If China do want to accept …… we go Indonesia lor. Apa itu “globalisation”??? Dalam B.M. how to spell???? Ha ….. the nerve of these people …… I wonder.
Trying to apply the ketuanan policy on China?Maybe 50 years ago can do that but not now.Not ever again!China has progress too far ahead and it will move even further ahead.China is different today.Thanks to their government seriousness on eradicating corruption.Where are we after this 50 years?
I wonder does the Indonesian recognise our UMOniversities…
Globalisation = globelisasi
organisation = organisasi
nation = nasi
computer = komputar
mouse = tikus
joystick = batang gembira
Just wonder how bahasa melayu can be a science and mathematics language.
Just try to read out 99.99 in malay.
Sembilan puluh sembilan perpuluhan sembilan puluh sembilan
ZZZZZZ… by the time you finish
Out of a total 500,786 Year Six pupils who sat for the 2007 UPSR, only 1,324(0.3 per cent) and 1,075 (0.2 per cent) of candidates chose to respectively answer the Science and Mathematics papers entirely in English. This means that millions of ringgit had been poured down the drain in teaching Science and Mathematics in the English Language.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Frontpage/20071116115009/Article/index_html
YB, thanks for sharing above.
There is no question in my own mind that the Top Chinese universties are far better in quality than any of our own local universities, using objective criteria such as THES-QS.
The Chinese do have a problem though, in that they have so many students fighting for relatively fewer places in their own top universities.
I suspect this is one of the main reasons why those who don’t made it in their home countries are forced to study in countries like ours. (i.e. our local unis are really just “rejects” to countries like China).
So, the Higher Education Minister should really make it a top priority to improve the quality of our home-grown universities. More marketing to improve “image” over “substance” is simply a waste of time, especially when the quality of our universities continue to deteriorate, as evidenced in the recent fall in THES-QS rankings.
Further, Mustapha must NOT misinterpret the statistics that because Chinese students forms the 2nd largest foreign student group in Malaysia, it means Malaysia universities are “superior”! And therefore he should demand even more recognition (for “rejects” local Unis) from China!
I believe the Top universities in the world knows that the best way to market their universities globally is to never compromise on the quality. And that means no compromises to the quality of the staff and the quality of the students. In an institution such as a university, the quality is directly determined by its people – staff and students. Compromise that, and you have compromised the quality.
So, it’s a no brainer as to why the quality of our local universities have deteriorated so hugely, as compromises are made as a matter of policy, and where our Ministers clearly favor “image” (e.g. “marketing”) over “substance” (e.g. quality). With this paradigm, it does not take a genius to see that our local Universities will continue to fall in the world rankings in years ahead.
Old Observer.
Among others, IPTAs consistently and persistently lower passing marks just to cater & ensure certain group of student candidates pass their exams to qualify for a diploma or degree. This and others fiasco result directly the downfall of the IPTAs interms of quality of teaching and education, and international perception.
All IPTAs are kicked out of the top 200 list. So sorry but recalcitrant attitudes of the administrators persist, continuing to self deny themselves.
“Mustapha wants the Chinese government to recognize more Malaysian universities and colleges.”
It is strange alright, it is strangely disgraceful.
The entire Badawi cabinet, the Education MInister included should have been sacked in any other government……….it is disgraceful that Malaysian universities will soon be hitting the bottom of the table and the Minister….like the others…. doesnt have a clear strategy or solution to the problem…….the calibre of this cabinet is a disgrace to Malaysians in general…..but the BN will continue winning by conning the Malay and unfortunately some Chinese and Indian masses…….if gerrymandering continues unabated…..political change must come from another source…….as Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, Burma and the Phillipines have learnt.
This is so typical of Malaysia. The UMNO govt thinks so highly about itself that it is deluded of its real place in the world. If you listen to the way the PM and the ministers talked, you would have thought Malaysia has the technology even to go to space. Even offered to teach others about satellite technology and repair the space station.
Many Chinese students that come to Malaysia probably have other motives other than study. No point for China to recognise so many Malaysian degrees. It would only add to their problems of a glut of unemployed low-quality graduates at home. The good ones stay in China to finish their degrees and then to the US for PhDs. Chinese students in the US are really good, indicative of the rigors of their degree programmes in China.
The rots started in the 70’s with the education policy that was not farsighted, inconsiderate and self serving of a particular community.
Language was the ‘weapon’ to say crudely, to advance the cause of social reengineering thro’ education. With a big ego, selfishness and greed for wealth, ownership and political power the Ketuanan soon-to-be-debacle continues unabate in this sleeping country. We still think we’re as good as the good old years of the 50’s or 60’s. From the outside looking in, we now looks like beggars asking China to recognise our unis, when we still don’t recognise theirs fully. How can we?
Perhaps Malaysia Boleh (Muka Tembok!) Sigh, sigh, sigh!
Anti_NEP wrote //..Just try to read out 99.99 in malay.
Sembilan puluh sembilan perpuluhan sembilan puluh sembilan
ZZZZZZ….//
Yes, this is one of the many reasons why Malays are shocking weak in science and math.
In English, Chinese or Japanese language, “99.99” can be read in less than one third the time needed in Malays!
Don’t forget that little red dot in the East – Hong Kong SAR, China -has 5, yes 5, universities in the top 200.
Why is it that some can but others like Bodohland, can’t. Must be the work ethic. Or the noodles.
“The request by the Higher Education Minister, Datuk Mustapha Mohamed, currently on a seven-day visit to China to promote Malaysia as an educational hub and to strengthen ties with some of the top Chinese universities, makes for strange reading.” KIT
I think the Honorable Miniser has had too much to drink – does drinking too much Chinese tea make one drunk??
i told u…a fine example of whr our “brain drain” leftovers walking around in the ministry and going abt telling people fr other country “pls come to my country and recognise my universities whr my academic rankings are nowhere to be found in the top 200 (or 300?) compared to urs so that whn ur students go back they can be as stupid as i am.”
A Hong Kong university with about 10 years history already make it into top 200 list.
My classmate is teaching in a HK university, has more than 80 papers published in international journals. He has to work hard to make sure his 3-year contract as an associate professor can be renewed.
How many professors in local u have published more than 10 papers in their teaching life. FYI, papers published in the conference and symposium is not considered for thesis citation.
Traveller Says:
November 16th, 2007 at 22: 11.40
Many Chinese students that come to Malaysia probably have other motives other than study. No point for China to recognise so many Malaysian degrees. It would only add to their problems of a glut of unemployed low-quality graduates at home. The good ones stay in China to finish their degrees and then to the US for PhDs. Chinese students in the US are really good, indicative of the rigors of their degree programmes in China.
===
Chinese students come to Malaysia are mainly for the twin programs, Malaysia is a stepping stone for them to enter UK, USA, Australia, etc.
Chinese “average” students are difficult to get visas from those countries.
Mustapha:
Why don’t you market harder to places like Sierra Leone, Sudan, Nigeria, Gabon, Mozambique, Ghana, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia ? And of course, Zimbabwe as there are so many similarities between your government and Mugabe’s government ?
There is zero chance of any of Bolehland’s universities coming close to Beijing University or Chinghua University. Zero chance.
hahahahaha..(burst in laughter)..shame Mustapha..the gov universities here is so lousy and yet he ask for recognization from China..god…its like totally different world..you wan recognization? eliminate meritocracy…increase competition..[deleted]
[deleted]
Mustapha would do well to pay a visit to Shanghai Jiao Tung University (THES No. 163) to find out how they do so well as well as try, yes really try, to find out why NO MALAYSIAN university is listed in their top 500 Universities in the world.
But hey, Mustapha is a proud man and is convinced Malaysian universities are tops.
Incidentally, the BEST AND TOP MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITY is………tada………MULTI MEDIA UNIVERSITY !!!!!!!!
Yes!!!! Multi Media University.
At Number 182 of the top 200 universities worldwide.
http://www.4icu.org/top200/
Hahahahahaha!!! No other Malaysian University made it into this “popular” list.
National University of Singapore (NUS) remains at Number 20, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is number 69.
Enjoy!!!
my dear friends,
you must remember that graduates from Chinese Universities DO NOT SPEAK MALAY. Therefore, it they recognised, how can these graduates cope in Malayasia.
[
“The Malaysian government can impose a condition that such recognition is subject to fluency in English language or Bahasa Malaysia, but it is the height of the ridiculous for the Malaysian government to continue to refuse to accord recognition to the internationally-recognised degrees of Chinese universities – which is a joke in the era of globalization but also self-defeating in losing out in the long run to lure Chinese students to come to Malaysia to further their tertiary studies.” – Kit]
ChinNA Says:
“you must remember that graduates from Chinese Universities DO NOT SPEAK MALAY. Therefore, it they recognised, how can these graduates cope in Malayasia.”
Sorry to deflate your argument in this way, but graduates from most Western countries, unless if they are Malaysian (or from the region) would mostly not be able to speak Malay too. Would that justify not recognising their degrees? I think YB Lim is asking for a fairer balance in the sense of recognition of degrees. (Think of the hypothetical situation where a Malaysian went to study at one of the top Chinese universities – take Peking for example. Would that mean that his or her future in Malaysia is ruined?)