SIBU: Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is calling for calm amidst the dissatisfaction that arises following the announcement by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) that it will not recognise Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) as among its entry qualifications.
He assured all that there would be a positive outcome later but it would take time and discussions for the matter which was under federal jurisdiction.
“Do not be alarmed. The state government and our Chief Minister (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem) had only announced the state’s recognition of UEC.
“(However) education education matters and policies are decided by Putrajaya. As such, Unimas being a public university is guided by the Higher Institution Ministry when it comes to enrolment.
“I believe adjustments would be made pursuant to our state government’s recognition of UEC — if not for all public universities (in Malaysia), it could be for public universities in Sarawak.
“This would take a little bit of time and discussion,” he told thesundaypost yesterday.
Abdul Karim added that if the discussions were held between the state and federal governments, with both being held by Barisan Nasional (BN), the possibility of it (recognition of UEC by public universities) coming to a ‘happy ending’ would be much higher.
“If Sarawak was under the opposition, they could bark and bark till the cows came home and still, Putrajaya would not give an ear,” he said in response to being asked about the Unimas-UEC issue.
Unimas vice-chancellor Prof Dato Dr Mohammad Kadim Suaidi was recently quoted as having said that the university was unable to accept UEC holders at the moment as it was bound by regulations of the Higher Education Ministry.
“Unimas, being a public university under the jurisdiction of the ministry, is obliged to follow directives from the ministry regarding the national education policy towards UEC, and also the current admission requirements to public universities set by the ministry,” he said.
News that UEC holders might be able to gain entry into Unimas was first announced in September by SUPP president Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, who disclosed then that Adenan had given the long-awaited nod on allowing UEC holders to apply for Yayasan Sarawak loans or scholarships, and also to join the state’s civil service.
According to Dr Sim, the UEC has long been recognised by many universities worldwide including the Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia and Singapore National University.
Just days ago, Adenan was baffled as to why the federal government was unwilling to recognise the UEC, despite the certification being recognised by many private universities around the world.
Nevertheless, Dr Sim believed that in order for the federal government to recognise UEC, there had to be a discussion with the Higher Education Ministry with regard to the National Education Policy.
“We will present our facts to Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh on taking Sarawak autonomy in education into consideration,” he said, adding that he was still waiting for Unimas’ reply on the proposed acceptance of only UEC holders from Sarawak.
On this, Dr Sim also expressed his gratitude to Adenan for the latter’s full support in the recognition of local UEC holders to serve in the state civil service.
“If the state government could recognise UEC, I think that the DAP-ruled Penang state government and also that of Selangor (comprising PKR, DAP and PAS assemblymen) could also do the same,” he opined.