A senior academic suggested today that the government should create an atmosphere in local universities that encourages staff and students to voice their opinions on issues affecting them and the nation.

Dr Sharom Ahmat, formerly deputy vice-chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), told a parliamentary roundtable dialogue that it was also important for the government to be gracious enough to accept criticisms.

In fact, the ability to accept all criticisms in good faith on the part of the administration would go a long way in encouraging the growth of world-class universities, he added.

Currently the chief executive officer of Wawasan Education Foundation, Sharom pointed out that "part of the job of the university is to take note of criticisms and acting on them".

"The government should also not be afraid of criticisms but should welcome them," he added at the dialogue entitled ' Higher Education in Crisis? ', organised by Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang and held at Parliament House. It was attended by opposition MPs and academicians and staff union members from local universities

Sharom said that criticisms are not encouraged in local universities because "criticism is equated to being disloyal."

"People in universities like to criticise. To get the best out of people, they should be allowed to criticise," he told malaysiakini .

Scholar, diplomat and administrator

Sharom, who is also involved in the setting up of Wawasan Open University, emphasised that leadership styles in universities are crucial attributes in determining the types of students the universities will produce.

He said that as leaders of universities, the vice-chancellors should possess the qualities of a "scholar, diplomat and administrator."

Currently, the practice is that vice-chancellors in local universities are appointed by the Higher Education Minister Shafie Salleh.

Lim, who chaired the two-hour discussion, called for a more transparent process in the appointment of the vice-chancellors of universities.

Currently, they are appointed by the Minister for Higher Education.

"All forms of political interference should be got rid of," said Lim, adding that universities should be more independent.

Lim cited Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) vice-chancellor Dr Muhamad Zohadie Bardaie as an example. Zohadie was asked to resign over a controversial poem he had recited and a memorandum he submitted to the higher education ministry.

The vice-chancellor was said to be miffed with the ministry's decision to transfer a new aerospace programme from UPM to University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

Lim said that if autonomy is not given to universities, it would produce less creativity and originality among staff and students and would "produce yes men and women."

The dialogue concluded that a Royal Commission of Inquiry should be formed to end the protracted higher education crisis and to rebrand Malaysia as a truly international centre of academic excellence competitive with Singapore and Australia in the region.