The Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU) 1971 has been the hot issue of recent among undergrads, activists and politicians alike. On Oct 31, in a landmark decision, the Court of Appeal declared on that a provision in the AUKU/UUCA which restricts students from expressing in support of, or opposing, any political party, is unconstitutional.
In the 2-1 majority decision, Justice Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus said that Section 15 of AUKU impedes the healthy development of the critical mind and original thought of students.
“Universities should be the breeding ground of reformers and thinkers and not institutions to produce students trained as robots. Clearly the provision is not only counter-productive but repressive in nature,” said Hishamudin.
Join Malaysian Digest in its 9th installation of Teh Tarik Session dialogues entitled "Abolishing AUKU: A Progressive Step Towards Political Maturity" featuring Deputy Minister of Higher Education Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah and PAS Central Working Committee member Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Saifuddin is among a handful of Barisan Nasional leaders who have been outspoken on AUKU. The former faculty member of International Islamic University Malaysia (UIA) recently had his program cancelled by the university on grounds that the AUKU issue “is still a hot topic”.
Meanwhile, Dr Dzulkefly is a former lecturer for several institutions including Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The Kuala Selangor Member of Parliament had said that AUKU “has stifled intellectual freedom and perpetuated mediocrity. It is also to eliminate the shackles of fear that has undermined students’ development, leadership and creativity.”
Venue : Killiney, Sooka Sentral, KL Sentral
Wednesday, 7th December 2011
4pm - 7pm
Wednesday, 7th December 2011
4pm - 7pm
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