UTM lecturer behind disparaging slides is identified
Published on: Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Kuala Lumpur: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has identified the lecturer responsible for the controversial lecture slides that disparaged Hindus and Sikhs. It informed the Higher Education Ministry the Tamadun Islam Tamadun Asia (Titas) lecturer was a contract academic staff. However, the lecturer's identity has been withheld. It previously said it did not know who made the video.ADVERTISEMENT "The lecturer has been asked to clarify the contents and materials used for the Titas course, including the lecture slides, reference books, and material used to substantiate the credibility of the content," the Ministry said. It said UTM Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Wahid Omar had issued an apology over the issue and an internal task force had been formed on the case. The task force is headed by UTM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Prof Rose Alinda Alias and three individuals of different races and religions, to look into the case in an impartial and unbiased manner. The Ministry said the lecturer had responded to requests for information and the university management had decided to appoint an independent external committee of Titas experts. ADVERTISEMENT The committee comprises Universiti Putra Malaysia's Prof Zaid Ahmad and Assoc Prof Sarjit Singh Darshan Singh, and Prof Rajantheran Muniandy of Universiti Malaya. The Ministry said all information presented by the lecture had been submitted to the committee.
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"At the same time, the committee will decide on the appropriateness of the expressions and language used by the lecturer in question," it said. "The committee is expected to provide the results of their assessment within a week. "The next course of action will depend on the report of the committee. "The process of taking any action, including disciplinary steps, will be decided by UTM as part of their autonomous authority."