I read the statement from the president of UM Academic Staff Association published in malaysiakini about the unhealthy habit of UM's current administration. How can the administration refuse to act accordingly and neglect their responsibilities towards their own staff?

This is a bitter reality that many academicians have to face in their career in Malaysia. Our universities should be the respectable entities that can act autonomously, independently and determine the best efforts to make sure the future of the younger generations are safe.

Sadly, the lack of enthusiasm towards the improvement of knowledge and to create conducive environment turning our IPTs (institut pengajian tinggi or higher learning institutions) into factories; producing thousands of graduates in the era of the 'economic boom'. In reality, many of these graduates still face a bleak future; without jobs and every year thousands more will join them.

In the case of UM, the administration should seek counsel from the staff to address the problems above. They should be more open minded to hear the 'grouses' from the staff and find solutions. Whispers here and there say the current administration is more interested in politics and wrestling each other's position.

There is even a case of an unqualified tutor who suddenly became a college master and has allegedly abused college funds for his political benefit. I think our PM should look into this matter because the person is an Umno leader. The UM management should heed Abdullah's call to curb graft and for a more transparent administration.

During the administration under the former vice-chancellor, Prof Dr Anuar Zaini; he tried to foster good relationship between the top management, staff and the students through the NADI UM project and he succeeded in bringing them together. He will always be remembered because of this effort and his friendliness especially to the students who saw him as a fatherly figure.

Many of his efforts went unnoticed compared to other VCs (not everyone of them) who just make publicity stunts in the media and organise projects that are not related to academic benefit. I pray that this situation will change for the benefit of our future generations.