What is wrong having a non-Indian to be the Head of Indian Studies Department in the University of Malaya? Some fundamental questions need to be asked regarding this fiasco:
Sadly, this incident left an ugly impression on Malaysian public universities. It reflects the narrow-minded and racist mindset. Most worrying, it questions Malaysian public universities' readiness to compete with other international universities. What our institutions need are not figure-head leaders who are there because of their ethnicity or even political affiliations; but genuine academic leaders that are able to provide scholastic leadership to lead our institutions forward.
In the world of academia, scholastic ability is paramount. Neither nationality nor citizenship are being questioned. Otherwise, London School of Economics would not have appointed a Malaysian Chinese to become the Head of Economics Department in this world-renown institution.
What is the rational that only Indian can be the Head of Indian Studies Department?
Are Indians the only people who are scholars of Indian cultural?
What about other Indian Studies in other universities, both in Malaysia and overseas?
Are they all only for Indians?
What if the best Indian studies scholars in Malaysia are Malays, Chinese, Ibans, Kadazans or Orang Asli?
Does that mean they are disqualified simply because they are not Indian? Shouldn't the most qualified academician be appointed the Head of Department?
Where is the spirit of meritocracy?
Is our university moving in the right direction?
Isn't such proposal racist?
Are Indians the only people who are scholars of Indian cultural?
What about other Indian Studies in other universities, both in Malaysia and overseas?
Are they all only for Indians?
What if the best Indian studies scholars in Malaysia are Malays, Chinese, Ibans, Kadazans or Orang Asli?
Does that mean they are disqualified simply because they are not Indian? Shouldn't the most qualified academician be appointed the Head of Department?
Where is the spirit of meritocracy?
Is our university moving in the right direction?
Isn't such proposal racist?
Sadly, this incident left an ugly impression on Malaysian public universities. It reflects the narrow-minded and racist mindset. Most worrying, it questions Malaysian public universities' readiness to compete with other international universities. What our institutions need are not figure-head leaders who are there because of their ethnicity or even political affiliations; but genuine academic leaders that are able to provide scholastic leadership to lead our institutions forward.
In the world of academia, scholastic ability is paramount. Neither nationality nor citizenship are being questioned. Otherwise, London School of Economics would not have appointed a Malaysian Chinese to become the Head of Economics Department in this world-renown institution.
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