Now, if we establish institutes of higher learning, IHLs, and call them universities even if they do not reach international standard, then this reflects the low standard of the country. Some may feel that as long as we get the youth into the universities, and let them graduate irrespective of their standard, a few may do well. Some even say that even if one out of a hundred achieve a certain standard, it is justifiable. It will be difficult for people with this type of mentality to cope with globalisation.

8 MORE UNIVERSITIES

Yesterday, Datuk Aziz said that the Education Ministry was preparing to build eight more universities, increasing the number of public universities to 24. To have more internationally recognized universities is correct.

Are Datuk Aziz's eight universities college universities or IHLs that do not reach university level. If he means IHLs, then eight new IHLs adding to 16 IHLs becomes 24.

On the other hand, if eight new IHLS are universities, then adding to 11 existing universities gives the total of 19.

35 REAL UNIVERSITIES

Every nation needs various types of IHLs, providing for the national requirements. If 40 or even 50% of Malaysians enter IHLs, this will augur well for the country. Now, less than 20% have been to IHLs.
A university is one type of IHL such as the 11 public universities. So, we hope that Datuk Aziz will let us know what types of IHLs the Ministry intends to have.

We have proposed that the Government establish at least 35 public universities of international standard. We mean real universities, not other types of IHLs. We do not want mediocre universities because they will be bad for the country.

At present, there is a controversy over the quota system of admission of students to our IHLs. Let us build more universities and get rid of the quota system that is based on race. Instead, let us have the system of merit and need.