It is indeed very bad news that Universiti Malaya has fallen to 169th position in the scale of top 200 universities as according to the Times Higher Education Supplement publication. USM has disappeared from the list compared to last year when it was 111th.

But this was not a shocking news for many as we have been witnessing the dropping of the local universities standards over the years. Many academics and professionals, including businessmen, have spoken of the dropping standards but the government would not accept this criticism to save face.

Really, we are cheating ourselves and our future generations of a quality education by not taking corrective measures to overcome the problems at our institutes of higher learning. Our future leaders would not be equipped with the knowledge and ingenuity necessary to meet the global challenges of years to come. Frankly, let us understand the following:

1. We need men and women of knowledge and calibre to meet the global challenges of the world today. For this to materialise, the institutes of higher learning must have the best talents in the country irrespective of race, religion or creed. No single race has a monopoly on the best knowledge. By training and education, all can reach the top of the grey matter. If we are serious as nation and are concerned for our future generations, then these institutions must be headed by great intellectuals free of political manipulation or influence.

2. We need not employ foreigners for the sake of it. We must first exhaust these appointments within the Malaysian catchment of talent via meritocracy in the long-term interest of the nation and our future generations.

3. Even the student intake must face the reality of one single common entrance exam for all in order to extract the cream of all races for future leadership positions. Since the bumiputera make up are more than half the population of the country, they will not have any shortage of talent. In fact they will only be too pleased to complete with the other races to prove their mettle.

The present government should motivate them along these lines rather than always providing them with 'crutches' in the name of special privileges. They must prepare them to meet the

global challenges ahead.

I trust Pak Lah and all government leaders will sincerely and honestly address these issues positively for the sake of our future generations and to restore the lost glory of our universities.