PETALING JAYA: Students in multiracial educational institutions should interact with one another to bring back Malaysia’s unity in diversity, says a former vice-chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
Prof Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak said better communication between students of different races would help them understand the sensitivities and prevent issues that could evoke racial sentiments.
“During my time in university, the mindset was not parochial, monolingual or monocultural. We were prepared to accept anybody into our circle.
“My roommates during those years were always non-Malays and one of them was a Chinese.
“When it was time for subuh prayers, it was he who always woke me up.
“This kind of relationship is missing in university these days,” he said at the USM Alumni Classes of the ’70s reunion here yesterday.
Dzulkifli, who is also president of the USM Alumni Association, said forging national unity had become more challenging as youths were more interested in social media than getting involved in activities that promote interracial unity.
He said it could be achieved with the help of parents who expose their children to the concept of unity early.
On the reunion, Dzulkifli said it was held in conjunction with the 40th convocation anniversary of the 1975 batch of graduates.
He said new USM students should emulate the feelings of mutual respect shown by the 125 alumni from the ’70s.
“This is something that we need to emphasise to the younger students in USM,” he added. — Bernama
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