UiTM should open doors to non-bumiputeras, says pro-chancellor

KUALA TERENGGANU: Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) has proposed to give the opportunity to non-Bumiputeras to study there, so as to encourage healthy competition and produce more intellectuals among students.

However, UiTM pro-chancellor Tan Sri Dr Arshad Ayub said these opportunities should be opened at post-graduate levels and not at diploma and bachelor's degree levels.

"I think perhaps the time has come for us to consider this matter, which is maybe in a small percentage, giving opportunities for non-Bumiputera students out there to pursue their Masters and PhD in UiTM.

"However, it only involves higher level of education because the Bumiputera still need opportunities and support at the lower level (of education), which are diplomas and bachelor's degree," he told reporters after launching the International Academic Conference (IAC) 2015 here Thursday.

Arshad said the matter should be considered in view that the world now was very challenging with a wider competition.

"They (Bumiputeras) need to be more competitive at the top level so that they will not only be local heroes," he said.

The two-day biennial conference themed 'Technology - Enhanced Education' will gather 250 academicians from all over the country including several academicians from Indonesia, Nigeria and China, with the presentation of 133 papers. - Bernama