Gov't Safeguards Academic Freedom, Foster Intellectual Discourse - Zambry

PUTRAJAYA, July 23 (Bernama) -- Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir today reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding academic freedom and fostering intellectual discourse.

He said institutions of higher learning will remain as spaces where diverse ideas can be debated openly, respectfully and responsibly so that knowledge can be advanced through dialogue across borders, disciplines and perspectives.

“As a university community and as a ministry entrusted with shaping the future of higher education, we believe that academic freedom carries with it intellectual responsibility.

“We encourage robust debate conducted with civility, evidence and respect for differing views,” he said in his welcoming remarks at a public lecture titled Muslim Identity in a Globalised World by Columbia University's Prof Dr Joseph A. Massad here today.

Zambry said Malaysia’s plural and multicultural society made it even more important to promote informed dialogue and mutual understanding through scholarly engagement.

He said while differing opinions were inevitable, particularly in the age of artificial intelligence and social media, Malaysians had long embraced the principle of respecting different views.

“We agree to disagree. We disagree on many things, but we also agree on many things,” he said.

Zambry added that the Higher Education Ministry would continue welcoming distinguished scholars from around the world as part of its efforts to strengthen Malaysia’s higher education ecosystem and encourage the exchange of ideas on issues of global significance.

-- BERNAMA