One of the few idioms which can be used so often in Malaysia that it becomes a cliche is " Empty pot makes the most noise" (I can't remember the exact idiom so this is merely my paraphrase). This applies to the local university, especially the that particular university I have been studying. See this and this
That said, in an indirectly related event, I have to say that many world universities too have taken a dive in quality, because of the corporatisation of higher learnings in countries like UK and the US. But, at least they still have the culture of blowing the whistle and having their voices heard, something which unfortunately is yet to happen in Malaysia.
And in a university like UM (I suppose the same applies to other Malaysian public universities, though from what I heard, many others seem to have slighly more enlightened powers-that-be) the way they treat research agendas and giving of grants is as if a fashion/visual arts magazine is dictating their choices. And the very same authories go on to complain about the lack of expertise in many fields that get little to almost no encouragement, let alone funding. Yet, the authorities have little inkling as to their direction. They merely parrot the politicus who have even less understanding on the way education/learning works. They are trying to parrot the style and workings of other industries without even understanding the mechanics that drive these industries, or their motivation. I am sad to say that I get more education from work and self-learning (and from various mentors) than I did throughout my 7 years in a local university. And never had I been so relief to finally leave.
Why does one need ISO for a university? There are other ways of cleaning up your act, and from that I see, based on the latest mishaps with regard to some problems missing forms and bad follow-up between university departments after the submission of my dissertation that woke me up bleary eyed after having slept late and nearly threw my newly acquired peace out of the window, this is merely whitewashing over a decaying structure. The fundamental issues remain unsolved, and infact, is now complicated. Think of the story of a gigantic statue made of precious metals but with a feet of clay. It is in the Bible.
Also, it is interesting that Malaysian companies and universities are commissioning overseas consultancies to provide recommendations to the problems they are facing,but none of these recommendations are made easily accessible to local researchers. And more comically, if you look at this in a roundabout way, here we are having difficulties getting grants for many basic research, and on the other end, we have to apply to overseas consultancies or research institutions to look into problems, and there is likelihood that among their staff are some able Malaysians who are disillusion with the stifling of their talents in their own country and have seeked employment abroad. Isn't it possible that we are forcing ourselves into a deficit...all the many graduates who cost so much to educate but are either too choosy or too 'useless' to be employed in the current market. Is it because they are completely skill-less and that their knowledge have become obsolete (and having no jobs, they have no money for continuous learning), or is their knowledge so cutting-edge and esoteric that it completely went over the head of most Malaysian employers? While I do not doubt that there is a chance of the latter happening (I know people who are unemployable because employers do not understand their fields or there is no job market for what they want to do locally. After all, we are still living in a country where to be a investment broker, you have to have studied banking, finance, accountancy, and stretching it a bit, economics. Apparently, mathematics and physics don't count for much in this country, though I believe the latter two have real advantage over the former), it is also likely that a majority of the unemployed graduates are too 'dumb', or have been made too dumb, to be employed. I do believe in being choosy and standing firm over your principles, because otherwise, you are merely sitting duck for your employer, especially if you have a bad employer. Unfortunately, a majority do not really understand the meaning of being "fussy" when negotiating an employment, and tend to do it in a 'dumb blond' kind of way (pardon the cliche), which could also be caused by their misguided and inflated egos (that can stagnate their lives and careers, even if they do not yet realise that). Just because you think you have the makings of a broadcast journalist fresh out of school, it does not mean that a possible employer would think of you in this manner, and a good employer who really know his or her work will be able to tell you immediately.
Yet, in my current field in advertising and communication arts, it is not unheard of for big corporations and institutions in developed countries to commission our services, from Malaysia. Go figure.
Ok, this is getting too long-winded. No more postings for the next two days. Cheers! (:
