Titas subject to be made compulsory

ISLAMIC and Asian Civilisation Studies (Titas) will be made compulsory for local students in private institutions of higher learning from Sept 1.

In a written reply to Dr Ko Chung Sen (DAP-Kampar), Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyid-din Yassin said the move was part of an effort to standardise requirements between private and public universities, by taking into account the study needs of local and international students.

He said Titas was one of the three subjects that has to be taken by every local private university student. The others are Ethnic Relations and Malaysian Studies.

Foreign students in private institutions of higher learning were required to take Malaysian Studies and Malay Language Communications courses.

Dr Ko had called on the ministry to reverse the decision to make Titas compulsory, saying it was a baffling move.

“Why is it only for local students, and not students from overseas? Obviously, this has nothing to do with the courses and the degrees awarded in the end”.