Sensible discussions needed on UniSZA - UMT merger - MAAC

SEREMBAN, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- The merger between Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) requires the government to initiate judicious discussions with all stakeholders.

The Malaysian Academic Association Congress (MAAC) president Prof Dr Mohd Mohd Idrus Mohd Masirin said the merger of the two universities should look after the interests and benefits of the community and the nation as a whole.

"If research and negotiations have been done and both the academic community and the administrators have reached consensus among themselves, then the merger will be an easier and more harmonious process.

"The MAAC is of the opinion that a merger will have a negative impact rather than a positive one if it is not handled wisely. It will need strategic consultation and review so that the spirit of the establishment of UniSZA and UMT is not lost in the process,” he said in a statement when commenting on the issues surrounding the merger of the universities as reported by the media recently.

On Sept 4, the Office of the Higher Education Director-General was reported as saying that the government had agreed in principle with the proposed merger of UniSZA and UMT and this was reached at a Cabinet meeting on the same day.

Commenting further, Mohd Idrus said there were several questions that the government needed to answer about the merger.

"Are their respective performances below expectations? Are they burdening the government and if so, how much of the savings will go into it and what led to the idea of ??the merger?" he asked.

-- BERNAMA