Students, the world is in your hands
A NEW semester has begun in most public universities, so in today’s column, I would like to share my educational experiences with new students streaming into their campus life stage of adulthood.
We need popular science stories
A FEW weeks ago, I was invited by a local private university to deliver the keynote speech in a scientific conference.
Looking for a Barbie doll world
EVER since the unity government was formed in November 2022, it seems that it can never do anything right. This observation is not from the Opposition coalition, mind you. This comes from ordinary Malaysians airing their views in columns and comments.
Urgent need for a paradigm shift
The six state elections revealed a nation still deeply divided and in need of a new narrative.
A reminder of who we can be
It does not take a university education or many years of studying scriptures to understand that kindness begets kindness.
Public varsities can lead the way
WHEN I was working at a public university in my younger years before the 21st century arrived, I heard two phrases from the university’s management that I thought destroyed the integrity of universities in Malaysia: “world class” and “ranking”.
Come on Malaysia, let’s start over
AFTER reading a commentary by a politician saying terrible things about non-Muslims, I feel that we need to begin again and restart this country from the bottom, that is, from the rakyat.
The right path towards a PhD
Universities shouldn’t stand as ivory towers with no connection to wider society. If they do, then what is their purpose beyond churning out students with degrees but no vision?
Reading your way towards change
THE power to change for the better always lies within the individual if he or she knows in which direction to change. That’s where reading books comes in. Permanent and meaningful change can come from a personal dialogue between the reader and an author who has decades of wisdom to share.
Make science understandable to all
AS an academician, I feel bored whenever the word “sustainability” is bandied about in university life. Mainly because we academicians are told that if you mention sustainability in your research, then it has more chances of being accepted and given grants.
It’s alright to have dissenting views
A nation that is a true family must have room for arguments and disagreements without collapsing.
Valid criticism or simply being rude?
We Malaysians don’t seem to understand how to use true freedom of expression, speech and criticism properly and in good faith.