Page 169 - VC Message

Home of the Bright. Land of the Brave

Di Sini Bermulanya Pintar, Tanah Tumpahnya Berani

Leading universities have shown that The spirit of rankings must be self- but to make a change to the lives of the
it is possible to excel both in research improvement and benchmarking, not envy people.
and provide world-class education and or rivalry. It also is a needed assessment Great universities are defined by their
societal impact in parallel. This must not tool to ensure universities, especially contributions and intent to solving real-
be a zero-sum affair. publicly funded one including UM, act as world problems - preventing diseases,
the catalyst and guardian of accountability
The very definition of a “great university” tackling poverty, addressing climate
is one that is able to do all these while and public service. threats, fostering peace and deterring
keeping the quality intact - to generate We bear the responsibility to fulfill the conflicts, and educating the next
new practical knowledge, educate the mandate of the people, the nation and generation. No ranking can fully capture
new generation of students, and serve humanity, and funding that also comes a university’s moral conscience or
humanity. from hardworking citizens and the humanistic core, and indeed, these should
government must be rightly invested in never be compromised for the sake of
This is the epitome of what we are
embarking on here in Universiti Malaya. the right channels in accordance to the rank.
highest quality and standards, ensuring
In Southeast Asia, the National University that they translate to world class teaching The essence of integrity, honesty, and
compassion in academia are paramount
of Singapore (NUS) became the first and learning, research and nation building. and they form our fundamental humanistic
Asian university to enter the global top
10, and it remains Asia’s highest-ranked. As such, our human capital must be education. A university must excel
academically and never lose sight of
measured to the highest measures,
This success did not come overnight or
by chasing rank for rank’s sake. It came and thus the need for Key Performance ethical principles, moral conscience and
Indicators is paramount. Its design is not
social responsibility.
from hard work, strategic investments in to punish or to fulfill a utopian agenda,
faculty, research, and innovation, facets As the Vice Chancellor of Universiti
that matter to the community and the but to simply ensure that we carry out Malaya, I am proud to say that our
our mandate to the fullest responsibility in
world. institution is embracing a renewed vision
adhering to the highest expectations. of being a “university with a purpose”.
It cements the fact that the ranking was
a reflection of real improvements. UM Thus, the compliance with the KPIs is This essentially means that we place
itself reached 58th in the world on the QS not merely as a tool for the rankings, humanity’s needs and hopes now and in
but as a constant quality adjudicator.
the future, at the forefront of our strategy
rankings, and we view that achievement
not as an end, but as evidence that our Academic freedom and academic integrity and mission.
must also not only be seen as a free for
efforts to improve research capacity, Whether it’s pioneering research in
enhance real impact, foster global all without obligations and norms, but our drive for cancer cures, developing
collaborations, and attract talent are also be designed in such a way that the new technologies for cleaner energy, 161
academicians have the compelling public
bearing fruit. or producing policy research to help
duty, normative obligations, and the moral resolve conflicts, we want UM to be part
None of the benefits of rankings should conscience to deliver responsibly and for
come at the expense of core academic the greater good of humanity. of the solution to global challenges, while
upholding human dignity, justice, and
values. We can and must pursue They are not mechanisms of pressure compassion through education.
high rankings in parallel with our core
fundamental mission to educate ethically for pressure’s sake, but frameworks In this noble mission, where do rankings
that uphold the standards expected of a
and morally and advance knowledge fit?
responsibly. national institution. Every academic and
researcher entrusted with public funds They enable and support our journey by
and trust must meet clear expectations ensuring that our work is internationally
Upholding Quality with Purpose and and outcomes, not only in productivity, but benchmarked and of the highest quality.
Morality in integrity and quality. High standards in research and teaching
As educators and researchers, we must In a climate of tightening resources, rising will essentially mean our breakthroughs
and graduates can stand among the
never let the metrics alone drive us but risks and greater public scrutiny, it is
instead, let quality drive the metrics. upon us to demonstrate that Malaysia’s world’s best, ready to make an impact.
oldest and leading university is worthy Rankings also help us gain deeper visibility
When a university truly focuses on of continued investment, and that we are and credibility, which in turn attracts more
improving the aspects of teaching, unwavering in our mission to serve the strategic partners and funding for us to do
research impact, and service to the people through excellence, equity, and more of the good work that defines our
world, the rankings will naturally rise as a impact. purpose.
consequence.
This aligns with the strategic aspirations Let me be clear: rankings are not the goal;
Conversely, ignoring quality or forgoing of the Ministry of Higher Education to they are a means. The goal is, and has
values and fundamentals in pursuit of a empower a new era of mission-led, always been, to create knowledge and
good rating is a recipe for hollow success purpose-driven higher education - one graduates that make the world a better
and reputational risk, and a success where Malaysian talent is cultivated and place. If climbing the rankings comes as
without a soul. global standards are integrated to chart a result of doing that goal well, then we
The true measure of a university lies in a new dawn of future-ready expertise in should welcome it.
the quality of its graduates, the impact both human capital development and We must remember that our true rank is
of these graduates and talents and their knowledge creation for the nation. measured by the positive difference we
research on solving the world’s biggest make for humanity and the world, and as a
challenges, and the ultimate contributions Universities with Purpose and compass of good, and that alone, remains
to the future of the world. the most noble of all.
Conscience
Used properly, rankings keep us on our
toes and guard against complacency or At the end of the day, we must not evade The writer is Universiti Malaya Vice
apathy. the core reasons of why universities exist.
Our ultimate purpose is not to top a chart, Chancellor, and Fellow of the Academy
of Science Malaysia