A dialogue between Malaysia’s Higher Education Ministry and student leaders is set for May, promising substantive discussions and action on campus issues
MELAKA: A dialogue session between the Higher Education Ministry and Liga Mahasiswa Malaysia is expected to take place by May at the latest.
Deputy Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim said the organisation of the dialogue is at its final stages. He said the ministry is preparing a platform for a roundtable discussion to address issues relating to tertiary students.
“We are sorry to have taken a bit of time to ensure that it can be organised properly,” Adam Adli told reporters. He added that the session would be a meaningful dialogue, not just a ‘touch and go’ session.
He said past dialogues often involved merely receiving memoranda without further action. The upcoming session will feature comprehensive discussions between various parties including university administrators, academics and students.
Adam Adli stressed he wanted all voices to be really heard. He said it was equally important that discussions be followed by substantive action.
The ministry will ensure every issue brought up is given proper attention. This includes issues viewed as critical or opposed to the ministry’s stand.
“One thing we need to guarantee is agreeing to disagree,” Adam Adli added. He said the rights and voices of students must be ensured as they should be given a bigger role in policy making.
This effort has been planned since his first day in the MADANI Cabinet. It is an initiative to create a platform for tertiary students to act as a force of checks and balances.
