Sunway University hosts open dialogue session on Education and Democracy

BANDAR SUNWAY, MALAYSIA, June 26, 2012 – Sunway University hosted a dialogue session titled 'Education and Democracy: Students' Voice, Power and Responsibility', in collaboration with the Institute for Democracy & Economic Affairs (IDEAS) recently. IDEAS is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting market-based solutions to public policy challenges. The objective of the non-partisan dialogue session was to encourage an open exchange of ideas on democracy among students, the future contributing citizens of Malaysia.

The two speakers were the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Y.B. Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah and the Founding President of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) Y.M. Tunku Abidin Muhriz.

Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah meeting members of the Sunway University Student Council

Chairman of the Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) and Pro-Chancellor of Sunway University Y.Bhg Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Ramon Navaratnam was the moderator for the session. The event was attended by the Sunway University Student Council, which represents the student body and at least 200 students from Sunway and other private and public universities.

“Democracy today is influenced by what I call the second circle of democracy which is made up of thousands of groups and networks on the internet. There is a new social consciousness in this circle” said Y.B. Dato’ Saifuddin. He added “While universities must safeguard their neutrality, they should be tactful in allowing rather than restricting students to voice their thoughts and opinions”.

The intellectually stimulating dialogue session

Echoing the Deputy Minister’s stance on the importance of education in promoting democracy, Tunku Abidin suggested that students should be encouraged to think beyond grades and securing a job after graduation.

“Promoting citizenship and encouraging students to be aware and concerned about what is going on around them, is important in nurturing independent sovereign individuals who are able to operate in a democratic society. Students should also be aware of their own rights and responsibilities. They have a patriotic duty to take an interest in their surroundings and improving the democratic nature of their country” said Tunku Abidin.

The Senior Executive Director of Sunway Education Group, Elizabeth Lee said “This dialogue has helped us to reacquaint with, and understand the true meaning of democracy and will develop students who will be more analytical, innovative and responsible in exercising their civil society rights in contemporary Malaysian society”.

The dialogue session was followed by a networking session for the students, hosted by Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah, AO, Founder and Chancellor of Sunway University and Chairman of the Sunway Group.

The event was held in conjunction with Sunway Education Group’s 25th Anniversary, celebrating 25 years of trailblazing education.