UM helps International Students brush up skills

Updated 26th May 2008 : I got an SMS from Mr Apandi Khalib after I messaged him my appreciation. He told me he also had been telling the same issue in the "Bahagian Pengurusan" meetings. Thanks, Mr Apandi!

Yesterday, I went to see Prof Dr Kaharudin Dimyati regarding my letter to the faculty. It was a tiring process, because before I get to the latest news yesterday, I have already discussed with the dean, then go to the HEP and then back to the dean's office. It's not cool to clean up other people's mess, I know, but there is certainly someone in UM care enough to get things where they belong.

The problem is, as I have been briefed by Mr. Tariq, (a prominent figure of Yemenis engineering student) is that more and more of his friends could not catch up with the learning process in the university. They excelled in their motherland, but here in Malaysia, it seems like everything is wrong. Some of them do not know what HEP is, some of them do not know UMISISWEB and PerdanaMail. It is very worrying to know such development is occuring in the university.

The root cause? They come from not-English driven education system. Another one is the agreement between governments that make UM allows students direct from High School without prior foundation knowledge. To make it worse, an unfriendly environment in UM. One of them said to me, " I swear to God, I would have killed him if he is not my lecturer". Some lecturers took these students for granted and made them wait a long time before meeting them, and some also shoo away these students like animals. But they admit, there are a few lecturers who care for them too.

Cutting it short, Prof Dr Kaharuddin Dimyati said that the matter has already being discussed by the Yemeni government with the university. Now, the UMCCed will be the one who's in charge with the program. It is good to know that finally the university gave them the foundation knowledge that they need. Finally we will not only be seen as going after the money without taking care of the real core business we were supposed to take care of.

What matters most is our attitude. Thanks to all who share this common goal. Special thanks to Prof Dr Kaharudin and Mr Apandi Khalib. Also, to AKIUM YDP, Mr Faruqi Razali who went with me to gather information from the students and go all out to discuss with the dean.