I write this as a final year medical student who has spent the last four and a half years studying and living in the Universiti Malaya.

Throughout these years, I served as the student representative of my faculty in the student council and am currently in the student committee of my residential college.

Our current vice-chancellor, Ghauth Jasmon, took office in November 2008, slightly over three years ago. Under his leadership, the university has seen many advancements in various areas, especially in student empowerment.

One thing that struck me was his approachability and willingness to listen to all students, regardless of status, race, religion or background, unlike many others in the administration.

However, to the residents of the 6th residential college, all this has been marred over the past year over many incidences at our college.

Over the past year, the principal of the college has enforced many rules and regulations, including a stringent dress code among others.

The rigidity of the dress code ruling was discovered after a few students were threatened with expulsion from the college after wearing skirts that did not fully cover the knee cap.

Students leaving the college in above-knee shorts were told to wrap their legs with "kain" and remove the "kain" after leaving the compound of the college. What kind of mindset are we creating by enforcing such rules?

The annual dinner of the college is around the corner and students have been told to adhere to the dress code of "no cleavage, no back, no shoulders and no knees visible". Failure to do so will result in "action being taken" and expulsion if deemed necessary.

Other rules such as a RM 50 fine for a "dirty room" were also enforced. Certain electrical appliances such as study lamps and table fans are also all fined RM50 each, despite not being in the barang larangan list in our rule book.

A student dropped a piece of paper bearing his name and telephone number and was subsequently fined for "littering".

The dress code issue is obviously not a problem for the Muslim students (although they do not necessarily agree with it).

However it has been the cause of disharmony and racial tension as the non-Muslim residents to subconsciously feel that the administration is favouring the Muslim students in this area, although the reason given is "for formality and to be proper".

In the words of a senior UM administration official, "We are now creating future citizens that are more concerned about form over substance".

In October 2011, a dialogue was held between the residents of the college and the administration.

Four hundred students turned up and a survey consisting of about 400 students were also presented, among them being the issues above.

Till today, there has been no response from the administration and things have been left as it is.

Numerous emails and attempts at further discussion have been made to the principal and the deputy vice-chancellor but have only received silence or lip service as a response.

Our principal claims that the UM statute grants all principals the power at any time to make any rule, whether verbal or written, and that it would take effect immediately.

I respect that, but in my opinion, these happenings are simply an abuse of this stipulated "power".

The student committee has tried to discuss and reason out issues with our principal but have either been turned down or paid lip service to and brushed aside.

There is no room for compromise or discussion as the principal has veto power in all decisions. What then, is the function of the student committee if all we can do is organize activities but not speak up for the students?

The Student Empowerment and Research Unit (SERU) was set up to look into areas for student empowerment and a more holistic university education.

I suggest that they look into such issues that only serve to impair and setback the good work they are doing.

Now you may be wondering why I am bringing seemingly trivial matters to such attention.

You may not agree with me, but this is clearly a reflection of the state of affairs in our government.

Communication is severely lacking among everyone, be it among the administration itself or between the administration and the common man.

Instructions are put up and we have to follow it and toe the line or else. Transparency is nonexistent, and this only serves to breed distrust among students (or the people, in the context of national government)

How often have we heard those in power claim to be open to dialogue and feedback from the people? Often time, when such feedback is given, they selectively pick and choose the comments and suggestions that please them and completely ignore the rest.

I hope it is realised that this is in no way a politically driven note. I do not stand on any side, whether pro-admin or pro-student.

This is unrelated to the issues such as the Universities and University Colleges Act, or the partisan politics during the student elections. This is purely observations that have been made over my four years of active involvement in student activities and in dealings with the administration.

University rankings are important and to a certain extent, reflect the quality of the institution.

However, a holistic tertiary education is so much more than just research papers, peer reviews and figures on a graph.

Students have come to the university not only to graduate with a degree, but also to gain the leadership and interpersonal skills necessary for the working world, to be encouraged and empowered, not be put down, disenfranchised and ordered around.

There is a great urgency and need to actively involve students in the running of the university, to give us a true sense of ownership of the academic institution that we are in.

The issues mentioned above is only the tip of the iceberg as many other seemingly less significant issues get swept under the carpet.

It is my sincere hope and prayer that the necessary changes be made to rectify this situation for the sake of the next generation of the country.

I write this not for my benefit or gain or out of spiteful revenge, but out of sadness and despair, for the sake of the students to come.

Should nothing change, and status quo be maintained, we will continue to produce students that are unable to think critically, and citizens that have no sense of responsibility or concern for the country.

TIMOTHY CHENG is a final year medical student who hopes to graduate in two months and has been actively involved in student activities since the first day of his student life.