We see that the latest statement by University Malaya's vice-chancellor is that the examination papers will be reviewed by foreign panels for their quality. After nearly two years of helming the 'top Malaysian university', only now she comes up with such a step. Why now?

As a former UM graduate, I have noticed serious deterioration in the quality of the delivery of education as well as the whole UM’s management system. A septic wound needs to be treated, and this does not mean covering it with a simple plaster - this may result in the wound becoming serious resulting in the limb having to be amputated. We do not want UM, our alma mater , to be ‘gone with the wind’.

Improve the delivery mechanism. Throw out unqualified and incapable lecturers and staff. The human resource of a university is the backbone of its success. Some clusters blame industries for not coming to the university to do their ‘joint research and development’.

But if the university’s researchers are capable, industries will come to them. Pointing fingers would not solve this problem at all. The lecturers’ credibility and performance must be watched carefully and strictly. Create a better sense of ownership towards UM.

Certify UM laboratories and improve the knowledge and report-writing skills of the lab assistants. Why is taxpayers’ money being invested in new equipment which is only used by certain people. It should be for the use of all.

This will also encourage competent staffing; more funds can then come in to assist the maintenance of these equipment as well as to create more research grants.

Start focusing on niche areas. Do not grab everything under the sun. There is a serious lack of focus on this in UM. If UM wants to be a research university, what should be its focus? Who is evaluating this? How do the taxpayers know that the aims are reliable?

There is also a need to review the syllabus in accordance to industry need. Do not create or maintain courses that have an overflow of graduates in the job market.