PUTRAJAYA: University lecturers must remain focused on their fields of expertise and avoid making public comments on matters outside their specialisation, says Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
The Higher Education Minister emphasised that the academic world is governed by established procedures and guidelines that must be observed to preserve the integrity of knowledge and the credibility of higher education institutions.
"We do not stop lecturers from expressing views related to their respective fields, however, it is not ideal when they comment on issues outside their field.
"This is something that has often been raised, and as I have repeatedly emphasised, they should focus on their own areas of specialisation," he told reporters after presenting the Higher Education Minister's Special Award: Innovative Curriculum Design and Delivery (AKRI) 2025 here on Wednesday (Nov 5).
Zambry made these remarks when asked about a claim by International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) lecturer Prof Dr Solehah Yaacob, who suggested that ancient Roman shipbuilding techniques may have been learned from Malay seafarers.
Solehah's comments followed the discovery of a shipwreck believed to date back to the 13th century on Pulau Melaka last Friday. The discovery of the giant wooden ship skeleton, aged between 800 and 900 years, is believed to be among the oldest shipwrecks ever found in Malaysia, marking an important milestone in the country's archaeological history.
According to Zambry, professors and lecturers should serve as reference points for the community in their respective fields of expertise, similar to specialist doctors who offer opinions only within their areas of specialisation.
"However, when a professor in a technical field speaks as though they are an expert in an unrelated area - even if their views may be reasonable - such remarks often raise questions in the academic community when presented as personal expertise," he said.
Earlier, in his speech, Zambry emphasised the need for the country's higher education system to strengthen two key pillars - curriculum and pedagogy - to remain relevant amid global changes and industry demands.
He stressed that the curriculum should not only focus on knowledge content but also emphasise values, soft skills, and graduate employability, in line with the 10-year education plan that outlines the foundation for emerging disciplines such as planetary health and multidisciplinary approaches in engineering.
Zambry said the education system must balance technical expertise and human development, placing human values at the centre of Malaysia's higher education action plan.
He noted that one of the main challenges is the imbalance in digital access, and as such, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed that all universities be equipped with 100 per cent internet coverage to ensure equal access to knowledge, especially in polytechnics and community colleges. – Bernama
