The decision to make Islamic and Asian Civilisation Studies (Titas) a compulsory subject for private institutions of higher learning is an effort to inculcate patriotism, harmony and nationalism.

It is also to spur the country's development, the Education Ministry said in a statement today.

"The implementation of Titas in public universities in 2006 was to expose students to the various civilisations here that have contributed to our identities and characters, as well as the systems practised in Malaysia," said the statement by Higher Education Department director-general Morshidi Sirat.

"The students at the public universities do not have a problem taking the subject and some produce very good scores for the subject."

'Titas also compulsory for Muslims'

Therefore, statements opposing Titas as a compulsory subject for non-Muslim students should never surface, Morshidi said.

"This is because Titas is also made compulsory for Muslim students, as they study Chinese, Indian civilisations as well as future civilisations."

There are those who are concerned that teaching Titas in Bahasa Malaysia would be a problem for local students who do not follow the education system in Malaysia, he added.

"Titas is taught in Bahasa Malaysia to strengthen policies that empower the language. Only Titas and Ethnic Relations will be taught in Bahasa Malaysia.

"The Private Higher Education Institutions Act 1996 allows private tertiary institutions to teach in the requested language. In this matter, creative and innovative teaching methods, as well technology, will overcome the issue."

On concerns of certain parties who view Titas as Islamic, and therefore unsuitable for non-Muslim students, Morshidi said the students would be given the space to learn more about ethnic civilisations in Malaysia.

"The education systems overseas, such as in the United States, also offer compulsory subjects for local and international students in their institutions," he added.

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