Apex of controversy?
Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak
My View - The Sun Daily
August 16, 2016
EVERY graduate would recall his or her university convocation as a once in a lifetime experience for them, their family and loved ones. And it should be so, because it was the best of times in exploring and building the future, not only for themselves, but more importantly the nation too.
After all, university is a privilege limited to a few despite the expansion of the higher education sector.
In reality, the disparity is growing wider and wider giving the event its premium status, not to be missed at all cost.
Hence when a convocation is deemed as a source of an ethnically-related "controversy" then it leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
Such is the case with my alma mater when a group of alumni reportedly lamented that the upcoming 54th convocation ends just a day before a "national" festivity celebrated by an ethnic group of Malaysians.
They directed me to a website which at the time of writing read: The 54th USM Convocation Ceremony (Confirmed), referring to Oct 25-28, as the official dates, apart from other news reports.
If so, this is indeed unfortunate. Imagine if the "festivity" was Hari Raya. One cannot imagine what the ruckus would be like. In this case, students were said to be up in arms over what some described as being "insensitivity" on the part of the university.
It may be an oversight as claimed but then it was argued that the university has held this event more than 50 times, and no such embarrassment happened before.
The university is always meticulous in drawing up plans for an event that involves a large number of students and staff, worst still with their families coming from far and near.
Moreover, for an auspicious event like the convocation it is always put under the purview of a special dedicated committee, Sekretariat Konvokesyen, before approval is sought from the board of governance, followed by the chancellor of the university, as a formality.
In other words, it is "uncouth" to drag the ceremonial head into the controversy as cited by the university authorities in some media reports. This will only add to the allegation that the university is indeed "insensitive" in desperately dealing with issue.
Just as the nation is preparing to renew its pledge on the slogan Sehati, Sejiwa with Merdeka around the corner, the regretful event seems to indicate how oblivious the institution is in celebrating its own diversity in the context of Sehati, Sejiwa.
Recently, another university in the south got entangled in an allegedly ethnicity-related controversy, but it handled it head on and swiftly. The university admitted that it showed "lack of sensitivity" to a group of students of a certain community.
It expressed "utmost regret and deep remorse" rather than trying to push the blame elsewhere or making excuses to disown the problem.
Apparently, a couple of heads have to roll too. Such straight forward honest action shows its maturity and sincerity in getting over the issue and moving on.
It also announced a code of ethics that "stresses the need to uphold true values and nobility of character in order to instil the right mindset and principles among staff and students, while encouraging respect for one another and inculcating understanding among diverse cultures, creed and religion".
"We will ensure that this incident will not recur, and we once again apologise for any hurt or displeasure we may have caused," the vice-chancellor was quoted as saying. His leadership and that of the university comes out stronger as a result.
The present controversy marked the second time my alma mater has been hit negatively in such a short time. It points to some sort of sloppy decision-making process and rash actions endorsed consequently.
The alumni certainly take a very grave view of such possible tendencies that go blatantly against the "Apex" brand that the university is trying hard to promote, though not without its own controversies (that are yet to be dealt with comprehensively).
More specifically, the unqualified "Apex" logo that the university seems to parade on all its media communication is at best ambiguous if not misleading. "Apex" what? as someone asked. "Apex" university (as stated in some documents and announcements) or just a mere "status" symbol and no more than that.
Is it "Apex" of the world? Or of controversy? The time has come to be intellectually honest to clarify what it means to the public and the academic world at large. At least to avoid yet another looming controversy
The writer is the president of Alumni USM (AUSM) representing the concerns expressed by its members nationwide.