Without reading books and thinking independently, we are merely downloading information instead of actually learning.

TODAY, I wish to propose a twist in the teaching of a category of subjects that some in both public and private universities have dismissed as “unimportant” – the Mata Pelajaran Pengajian Umum (MPU) or General Studies subjects.

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced us to pause and reconsider our lives. It is a time to figure out how we can do things differently so as to have a better future.

More than 1,400 years ago, a woman decided to be kind to an infant despite no promise of a reward. It’s a story whose lesson continues to resonate today.

Real change cannot come only via the ballot box. Our columnist explains how private universities can be instrumental in shaping a better future for the country.

The path to a better future, says our columnist, is based on shared history, economy and spirituality.

WHEN the Rukunegara was introduced, I was in Standard 3 at St Mark’s Primary School in Butterworth. I remember my teacher calling me up along with two other friends.

When the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English was introduced in 2003, our columnist didn’t think it was a great move. He now has a different take and he also has suggestions on how to do it better.

I WISH to raise the issue of what I term “the dignity deficit” in our society. I have had experiences with this as a university professor and as a civil society member in Malaysia.

Universities are not effective agents of social change if they can’t play a part in strengthening and upholding the national language.

‘Tis the season for the classic novel by Charles Dickens. But its important and enduring messages are relevant to us all year round, and the sooner we heed them, the better we’ll be as a nation.

Instead of pinning our hopes on elected reps, who have often been disappointing, we ordinary Malaysians should work together to make the changes we want.