Recently, the Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir, issued a crucial directive to all universities in Malaysia. The directive is clear: no outstanding student should be left behind simply because they come from a poor or underprivileged family. Universities must be proactive in admitting students from these backgrounds and allow deferred payments until financial assistance is provided.
Why Is This Directive Important?
This directive is significant for several reasons.
Firstly, as outlined in an analysis titled Towards Universal Access to Higher Education: International Trends, published by UNESCO in 2020, education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Students from underprivileged families who successfully complete their studies have a better chance of securing well-paying jobs, thereby improving their family’s standard of living. If this opportunity is blocked due to financial constraints, we are, in fact, obstructing a critical process from taking place.
Secondly, universities must be open to all, regardless of financial background. Higher education institutions are places for fostering critical thinking, innovation, and nurturing future leaders. Denying access to potential students simply because they are poor contradicts the principles of social justice. Universities should be inclusive spaces where every student, regardless of their economic status, is given the opportunity to thrive.
What Are the Next Steps?
Issuing a directive alone is not enough. Universities must seek long-term solutions to this issue. They can collaborate with government agencies, private companies, and charitable organisations to provide more scholarships and financial aid. At the same time, we need to reassess the funding structure of education in this country to ensure that it does not burden students from low- and middle-income families.
Furthermore, society has a role to play. Education is not the sole responsibility of individuals but is a collective obligation. All parties—government, universities, the private sector, and ordinary citizens—must work together to ensure equitable and fair access to education.
An Investment for the Future
In the long run, helping underprivileged students gain access to higher education is a significant investment in the country’s future. We often speak of the importance of human capital development, but how can we achieve this if we leave behind those who need it the most? Every student given the opportunity to attend university is an asset to the nation. They can become leaders, innovators, and experts who will drive the nation’s progress.
If this directive is implemented effectively, more students from poor families will be able to realise their dreams. This will bring us closer to an inclusive education system, where every student, regardless of background, has an equal opportunity to succeed.
As a society, we must support this initiative and ensure that no student is left behind. Their future is, indeed, our future.
Written by Nik Suryani Megat Deraman, Editor-in-Chief of The Malaya Post.
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