NILAI: Higher Education Institutions have been urged to organise more discourses and discussions on book content to give rise to an open intellectual platform.
Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said the programme should be held on a bi-weekly or monthly basis as it is currently seen as “peripheral” rather than a priority.
“I challenge all universities to publish books, debates or criticisms of book content at their respective universities.
“We want to make the university an open intellectual field where knowledge is debated, opinions are discussed, and where there is ‘war’ of ideas and thoughts, to ensure the best come out on top,” he said at the 2018 Outstanding Student Awards here last night.
Also present were Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching and Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Musa Ahmad.
At the event, Muhammad Syafik Rahmat, 24, who is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in computer science (network and security) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UiTM) received the Education Minister’s Award with the title of National Student Figure for 2018.
It is the highest award given to a student from any public or private institute of higher learning for being active in various fields on campus.
The winner brings home cash worth RM3,000, a trophy and certificate, as well as an overseas holiday package worth RM5,000.
Outstanding students were also picked in another 15 categories, each receiving RM1,000 in cash, a trophy, student figure scholarship and certificate. – Bernama
