A Scalpel Knows Not Race Or Religion Says Academic

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A scalpel in the hands of a doctor does not discriminate, academic Tajuddin Rasdi said in response to Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) student representative council’s protest.
The professor of architecture said he was “saddened” to learn that the council is opposed to the proposal to permit non-bumiputera students to enrol in UITM’s cardiothoracic surgery postgraduate programme.
However, Tajuddin asked if the blame should be placed on the students or their educators for perpetuating this “closed mindset”.
“The council’s action reflected the education philosophy in Malaysia,” he told Malaysiakini.
“Universities are supposed to prepare their students for global challenges.
“But in this case, it appears that knowledge of a closed construct is being imparted to instil the belief that their survival depends on being protected,” he added.
Freedom from shackles
The UCSI university lecturer noted that while the perpetuation of this fear might benefit certain political interests, academics should strive to free their students from these shackles.
“What kind of education are you imparting? Are you preparing the students to work in a world that is borderless? In the age of globalisation, it is no longer just about Malaysia
“Or are you sowing the same seeds that have been sown for decades that tell them that without certain privileges or protection, you are unable to compete with others?” he added.
Tajuddin said the students should also realise that the funds for their universities come from Malaysian taxpayers of all races as well as that more cardiothoracic surgeons would translate into more lives being saved, including that of the bumiputera.
The UiTM campus in Shah Alam.“So it is a humanitarian issue, not a racial issue. It (the parallel pathway proposal) is described as a temporary measure until another solution becomes available.
“Therefore, it is unfortunate that the issue has been framed in a racial construct when it concerns saving lives,” he added.
Tajuddin also pointed to a recent news report about a Malaysian doctor, Ashok Kannan, who is treating Palestinian patients in Rafah.
“I read numerous comments praising this doctor for risking his life to help Palestinians. But back home in Malaysia, the tune is different. This is disheartening,” he added.
On Wednesday, Higher Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir reiterated that the proposal to open UiTM admission to non-bumiputera students has never been discussed in ministerial or cabinet meetings.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported a doctor in Sabah recalling the pain of witnessing the death of a seven-month-pregnant woman due to the lack of cardiothoracic surgeons. - Mkini

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