The declining academic standards can be reversed by an administration that is transparent, accountable, non-racial and free of corrupt practices, a top Universiti Malaya (UM) official said.

In a frank appraisal of the state of affairs in local varsities, UM Board of Directors chairperson Arshad Ayub said the "form of governance has a direct bearing on academic standards".

While focusing on UM standards, he urged all universities to be introspective in order to arrest the decline and emphasised the need for faculty staff to rethink the values with which students are being imbued.

"Are we treating them (students) in a fair manner and in line with their rights as enshrined in our constitution? Are they allowed to express themselves freely and are they permitted to vote according to their conscience?" he asked during 'An Evening With...' programme organised by UM Academic Staff Association (PKAUM) yesterday.

Later, he also fielded questions from some 100 participants, including faculty deans and staff, on prevailing problems.

Arshad, 78, blamed the current drop in overall varsity standards on bad administrative calls involving discriminatory practices and unfair treatment.

Citing the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 which restricts students' freedom of association, he said he was inclined to feel that students "should have more freedom" but admitted that it was a big, on-going debate.

Imparting values

He said leaders of universities should set an example and govern in a way that imparts integrity and a desire to promote national unity among students.

"Are we colour blind in our dealings with students, or do we show preferential treatment to students we consider 'our own kind'?

"If, in our dealings with students, we show a disregard for fair play and honesty, the lesson we are imparting to them is what we can abuse our position and power in order to get what we want.

"We cannot be seen as promoting the goal of ending racism unless we are also seen to be people who act in (a) just and non-racial manner."

In addition to dropping standards, Arshad said local universities were also plagued by allegations of racial polarisation, obscure marking schemes and unfair academic promotions.

"Are we providing a working environment where academic integrity is paramount and the path to professional satisfaction and reward? Or are we creating an environment based on feudalistic practices that can bring about nothing but dissatisfaction?

"Are promotions and appointments based on merit? Are we ensuring that the most qualified academics are selected for promotion and to lead our departments, faculties and research institutions, regardless of their ethnic background? Or are we undermining morale by appointing academics based on factors other than merit?"

Corrupt acts

Arshad said only merit-based promotions carried out in an honest and transparent manner could account for every sen of public funds, and that anything less would be an abuse of power and a corrupt act.

"The entire process (of governance) must be transparent, whether it is marking of examination papers or dealing with one another."

He urged academic staff to take advantage of universities to promote racial integration and instil good values in students, and to be vocal on important issues.

"A silent culture is not an ethical culture in academia," he said, stressing the need to "stamp out corruption and racism" through the universities and to be seen as clean and trustworthy.

"We need to govern in a non-racial and transparent manner if we hope to get our students to understand the values of justice and accountability."

Prof Dr Khoo Kay Kim who moderated the session said exposure and competition were crucial for faculty staff to improve overall standards.

"In the world of scholarship, you have to make noise, you have to compete."