Parallel pathway: No talks on opening UiTM course to non-bumi, says Zambry

Higher Education Ministry said there has been no discussion on opening Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) cardiothoracic surgery postgraduate programme to non-bumiputera students.

Its minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said several pertinent issues need to be scrutinised before such an idea can be considered.

“We haven’t discussed the matter yet, apart from not being informed officially of the proposal,” Berita Harian reported him as saying today.

On April 25, Codeblue reported Raja Amin Raja Mokhtar, who is on the board of studies of the UiTM-IJN cardiothoracic surgery postgraduate programme, as saying that the varsity is agreeable to open up to non-bumiputera parallel pathway trainees and graduates.

He said the decision was made after speaking to UiTM’s vice-chancellor and the chairperson of the UiTM board, and they agreed to the idea for a limited period.

DAP senator objects

However, on April 30, Dewan Negara member Dr RA Lingeshwaran objected to the idea and maintained that the bumiputera-only university should continue to serve bumiputera students exclusively, while non-bumiputera or non-Malay students can take the parallel pathway for medical speciality training.

“I think UiTM is treading a dangerous slope as it’s going against the constitution of UiTM and removing the safeguard of bumiputera brothers and sisters.

“So I don’t think it’s needed for us to open UiTM for the non-bumiputera when the existing parallel pathway is there for them.

“I think we need to work hand to hand so that the parallel pathway and local master’s can both work together and we do the best for the people of Malaysia as a whole,” Codeblue reported the DAP senator as saying.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | Parallel pathway - what is it and why is it an issue?

Yesterday, Lingeshwaran stressed the need to recognise the Health Ministry’s parallel pathway programme with overseas royal colleges, as the number of specialist doctors produced by local universities is far smaller than those produced by the parallel pathway.

“When you look at Malaysia, so far, only UiTM has just started their cardiothoracic programme.

“But, when you look in the UK, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh had long ago begun producing cardiothoracic surgeons, and because of them, we have one of the world-renowned surgeons in Malaysia, Dr Basheer (Ahamed Abdul Kareem).

“So, all of this is the product of our parallel pathway so we need to look upon them also. So, I support both – parallel pathway and local Masters.”

He also claimed those opposing the parallel pathway programme may have some vested interest.

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