This comes after FMT reported the revelations of a chemistry lecturer, Prof Omar Shawkataly, who claimed there was rampant sexual harassment, plagiarism, stolen research work and lecturers going absent without leave at universities, both public and private.
He had also claimed he knew of a lecturer who did not mark exam papers for 15 years but kept giving students As and Bs.
Omar had also claimed most of these educational institutions had lost all semblance of ethical values as lecturers, when caught red-handed, were only lightly admonished by being forced to retire early or allowed to leave on the quiet.
PKR’s Tian Chua said people should not be silent on the matter.
“We need to empower people to come forward to complain. We need people to stand up for their rights but their identity should be protected,” he told FMT.
The Batu MP said by no means should such behaviour continue at higher education institutions.
“If more lecturers and students can come forward, the problem can be curbed.”
He said the public should not blame the higher education ministry for the rampant unethical behaviour as there were several layers within the ministry.
“Even if the minister has a spot check, everyone will act good. It won’t solve the problem. It is the people who should complain and this is where confidentiality should be ensured.”
However, Tian Chua wants the higher education ministry to do a probe on Omar’s revelations.
Universities should stop sweeping problems under carpet
DAP’s Charles Santiago said plagiarism has been one of the main problems in universities.
“If we want to reach world-class university status, this has to stop,” he told FMT.
He said there was nothing wrong in co-working between lecturers and students in doing thesis or project papers but they must acknowledge another person’s work.
“Lecturers can’t be taking their students’ work and claiming them as their own.”
He said there appeared to be a poor management problem in universities if lecturers were failing to turn up for work for months.
“The university has to do something about it. They can’t be sweeping such problems under the carpet.”
He agreed with Tian Chua on the setting up of a special counter for whistleblowers.
“It just shows a lot of people are keeping quiet. But if they can be assured confidentiality, more people will come forward.”
As for the higher education ministry, he wants the minister to carry out internal investigations on the revelations by Omar.
“The ministry will then have to set up an internal mechanism to stop such unethical behaviour.”
FMT is awaiting a response from the higher education ministry.
Prof: Plagiarism, sexual harrassment, absenteeism rampant at varsities
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