Call for Chinese-language university in Sarawak, Sabah
SIBU (Aug 16): Sarawak and Sabah should consider establishing a home-grown Chinese-language institution of higher education to better serve the Chinese community and strengthen education ties in East Malaysia, said Soon Choon Hoo.
The Sibu Eng Ann Teng Tua Peh Kong Temple Charitable Trust chairman said West Malaysia already had institutions of higher learning supported by the Chinese community, but Sarawak and Sabah still lacked a Chinese-language institution that truly belonged to the region.
“If we want Chinese education to form a complete educational pathway, we cannot stop at primary and secondary education and then send our students elsewhere.
“We should seriously consider whether we can establish an institution of higher learning in East Malaysia that has its own East Malaysian character, places Chinese-language education and Chinese culture among its important foundations, while also responding to the needs of modern society, technology, business, education, culture and social development,” he said during the presentation of grants to five Chinese independent secondary schools here yesterday.
The five schools are SM Catholic High, SM Wong Nai Siong, SM Kiang Hin Middle School, SM Guong Ming Middle School and SM Citizen Middle School.
Each school received a RM15,000 contribution from the Temple Charitable Trust.
Soon said such an institution would not necessarily be limited to producing students majoring in Chinese studies, but could offer fields including education, history, culture, business, technology, information technology, tourism and social sciences.
He said Chinese could serve as an important medium of teaching and academic communication, while the institution could nurture young people equipped to contribute to the development of East Malaysian society.
“I know that this is a very ambitious vision. From planning and fundraising to faculty recruitment, curriculum development, accreditation and administration, establishing a university college is by no means a simple undertaking.
“But that is precisely why it is called a vision. It may require one generation to initiate and perhaps several generations to complete,” he said.
Soon said focusing only on immediate problems would limit education to addressing short-term needs.
“But if we are willing to look 20 or 30 years into the future, everything we do today could become the foundation for the next generation,” he said.
He reiterated that the temple’s support for Chinese independent schools was not because they belonged to any particular organisation, nor was education merely a matter for the Chinese community.
“Ultimately, education affects the whole of society. A society needs talent in order to progress. People need culture in order to preserve their identity, and a region needs its own educational strength in order to develop,” he said.
Moving forward, Soon said the temple was willing to continue engaging with boards of directors of Chinese independent schools, principals, educators and various community organisations to explore the future development of Chinese education in East Malaysia.
“I believe that as long as we are willing to cooperate and take the first step, many things that seem beyond our reach today may become possible in the future.
“Eng Ann Teng Tua Peh Kong Temple may be a temple, but we deeply believe that a temple can safeguard faith, schools can safeguard culture, and education can safeguard the future of a people.
“In the future, we hope to work together with all of you to build a broader, longer and more hopeful path for Chinese education in East Malaysia.
“Let us work together to safeguard Chinese-language education, nurture talent in East Malaysia, preserve Chinese culture and build a better future,” he said