IT is rather rare that the posts of as many as five vice-chancellors of public universities are vacant at any one time, as is the situation now. This is a very opportune moment for the government, more specifically the Higher Education Minister, to take the historic step of appointing non-Malay professors as vice-chancellors of some of these five universities. And that many are not surprised if the top university leaders selected are not the best in terms of academic rigour. Malaysia is home to at least 20 public universities as well as many distinguished non-Malay academics who have over the decades been discriminated against by never being appointed as vice-chancellors. To begin with, out of the five existing vacant VC posts, I would propose that a Chinese and an Indian professor each be appointed as VC.

Source: The Star June 11, 2021 23:37 UTC