Stop Treating Our Students Like Kids!
July 16, 2008
Here’s a fact:
Universities in the US have produced many great men and women, people who become great scientists, captains of industry, and leaders of countries. And most, if not all of these universities DO NOT impose a dress code on their students.
There has been no credible study that has categorically proven that students are better prepared for the future in the workforce by imposing a dress code on them.
This is opposite of what we are doing in our Malaysian universities, which treat our university students like little children who are being told what they should wear to school. It is an absolute travesty that time and money are being wasted on implementing a rule that has no value for a student, rather than looking at how the quality of education of the university can be improved.
It is an even greater crime to argue that teaching a student how to dress is one of the university’s roles, and masking the fact that a dress code was actually imposed to satisfy some person’s cultural or religious sensibilities. Yeah, Mona Ershadifar, I’m talking about you.
MMU dress code a forward-thinking move
Malaysia is a multi-cultural country. However, while Malaysia is an Islamic country, there are other religions living here as well. The dressing style in such a society differs according to people’s culture, religion and, of course, their education level.
As everyone knows, the universities in every country play a key role in a new generation’s training and this training has a direct impact on our youths’ performance in society. We always expect educated people to have a better understanding of the behavior and actions in society.
It is true that training for a profession and preparing young people for their future are the most important of the universities’ responsibilities. On the other hand, these responsibilities are not limited to the abovementioned factors.
Another important issue that universities are responsible for is to teach their students how to appear and behave in different situations, positions, conditions and occasions. (Klaw: There is already a school for that. It’s called the School Of Life, which this letter’s writer might have had trouble getting admitted to)
Students must learn the way to dress for different events. We expect all students to be aware of this issue since our universities are designed to train students in every field. But unfortunately, many universities are ignoring the importance of this issue.
One of the well-known universities in Malaysia (the Multimedia University in Cyberjaya) announced new rules recently about the students’ dressing and clothing. Students who wear sandals, short skirts, shorts and open and tight T-shirts are not allowed to enter the library any more. This is a good move and we have to congratulate the management of this university for considering this issue in training our future generations.
The students may be annoyed at first but I believe that it is a good practice for them to think more about their roles in society. For example, a businessman never wears swimwear when he is going to his office nor he will wear a suit and tie when he is going to the beach. Every occasion has its own dressing style and standards. (Klaw: A student’s role in society is to be a student. It doesn’t matter how a student dresses)
We should consider this an important point in our daily life. The way people dress for various occasions reinforces their personalities. Students are no exceptions. They have to understand that sandals, shorts and short skirts are not proper clothing for academic institutions.
However, most universities are not pushing their students to dress properly. Some students are mistaking their universities for parks, beaches and fashion shows. The whole point is that students, as adults, should learn the dressing standards for different occasions.
It would be a good idea for the universities to add a new course to teach students about the methods of behaving and appearing in different occasions, just like their other courses on public speaking or on research writing which are really good courses.
I believe the other Malaysian universities should follow this move. We must all step up efforts to make our society a better one. (Klaw: *snort* A better society from a dress code? Have you been smoking weed?)
– Mona Ershadifar, letter to Malaysiakini, July 15th 2008
Our universities should be producing students who base their claims with scientific fact. I am not sure if Mona Ershadifar is a Malaysian university student, but if she were, then I think that she should be ashamed that her university education has taught her nothing. In fact, to make it easier for Mona Ershadifar to understand what I am saying, since I am doubting her intelligence, let me put it to her this way: YOUR ARGUMENTS ARE LAME!
Thing is, if a university student does not already know not to wear slippers and a T-shirt to a business meeting or interview, then that student is an abject failure and should be shot in the head. If Mona expects a university to teach her this, and not based on her own powers of observation and common sense, then she should really shoot herself in the head. Wait, don’t, it’s not right. Oh what the hell, go ahead.
So why would Mona Ershadifar argue that it should be every university’s role to impose dress codes? In fact, Mona Ershadifar should realize that MMU did not do this because it was forward-thinking. MMU did this because somewhere in the university administration sits a powerful person who is in fact a conservative prude, and would like to impose his/her cultural and religious sensibilities on the student body.
MMU can go suck the balls of a caveman, and I say sorry to my countless friends who are MMU alumni when I publicly declare that their university sucks.
Malaysians say the darndest things!
You Might Find These Interesting
- A More Humane Law For Students?
- UiTM - Universiti Teknologi MUNDUR
- The Dissenting Voices Of UiTM Students
- The Malaysian Brainwashing Bureau
- Malaysia Today: Elementary, My Dear Watson
Thank you for reading Malaysians Say The Darndest Things! If you like what you just read, you should consider subscribing to this blog in a feedreader. Alternatively, you could also subscribe via email, and you will get a daily digest of the day's posts. Your email is strictly protected and will never be used for spam or marketing purposes.
27 Responses to “Stop Treating Our Students Like Kids!”
Add your comment
aiyah…MMU is not the only one to do that…..UNITEN also has the same ruling on their dress code. I remember one of my friends who experienced a “denise Khoo” skirt issue a few year back…..nothing suprising if u ask me.
and i can’t agree any further with you, if a uni student still doesn’t know how to dress up appropriately when the need arises, then well, i am dumb-founded
ps: Despite the dress code ruling, students still ignore the rules occasioanlly. So what if you want to write a letter to my parents? Its not like i went to class nude!!
racoon’s last blog post…Irritating a Narcissist
July 16, 2008 at 1:54 pm
no need to say sorry because the truth is mmu really sucks.
but i’m surprised that this is brought up now considering that this ruling was around when i was there (and no one could be bothered by it)
July 16, 2008 at 2:57 pm
owcs, I second that!
Togo the Dog’s last blog post…Funny Picture Day
July 16, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Mona Ershadifar is merely exercising her right to voice her view that Malaysian Universities should “teach” their students about the ways of the world.
Most universities outside of Malaysia expect their students to have the intelligence and aptitude to “learn” about the ways of the world.
July 16, 2008 at 8:31 pm
They should introduce “Sex Education” you know. It helps when teenagers grow up. Safe sex right? Or rather, they’d still prefer to censor kissing scenes from TV shows. How will kids learn all these? Watching parents? Whoops I’m way off topic here.
Heck, I think “Mona Ershadifar” is dressed up until any of her skin is barely visible.
(Forgive me for my rudeness. I am emotionally unstable after what the (Police?? Nahhh..) Government did to Anwar today)
July 16, 2008 at 10:14 pm
yeah right….
‘Universities in the US have produced many great men and women, people who become great scientists, captains of industry, and leaders of countries.’
you forgot to mention that they also produced many great killers men and women, people who become great thugs….they have the highest rape case in the world, they have the highest prison break in the world, and they also have the highest alcoholic in the world…
not all what they are doing is right…
July 17, 2008 at 12:14 am
lilou,
Since you wanted me to mention what you want to mention, let me just mention it:
“USA also produced many great killers men and women, people who become great thugs….they have the highest rape case in the world, they have the highest prison break in the world, and they also have the highest alcoholic in the world…”
So I would expect you tell me now what this has to do with the role of universities? Or are you implying that universities in the US help their students become killers, thugs, rapists, prisoners, and alcoholics?
Going by that line of argument, could I also say that Malaysian universities produce drivers that have among the highest fatalities in the world, people that are among the most obese in SE Asia, and also footballers that are lousy?
July 17, 2008 at 12:33 am
yeah…maybe what you said is right…..malaysia not as good as us….but not as bad as us also…maybe this has nothing to do with it…but how their dresses can also make them a great scientist or whatever….it’s the rule…every country had their own rule…..
July 17, 2008 at 12:50 am
heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. Coooooooooooool down!!!!!! First of all, if you want to criticize some one you have to learn that you should be polite. It is true that in the internet you can do whatever you want but dont forget that the way you talk and write it implies your personality. Moreover, you never can talk behind a person you dont know. If you believe in God, you must be knowing that you are not allowed to blame some one you don’t know. It is a big SIN. Don’t sit and just keep guessing about any thing you have no information about. I myself even have no idea who is mona but in a free world, i believe she has the right to express her opinion just like you.
One the other hand, your argument gives us a feeling that you are a person who doesnt like discipline. I m sorry to say that you even dont know the meaning of identity ( you might not have one). think deeply about yourself and see who you are at the end. having discipline in life is some thing good. people who doesnt like discipline are the one who likes to break the rules and wants to do whatever they want without any prohibition. in my opinion, next time before you write any article it is better to study and research about it. you have to have the proof when you are talking about some one or some thing. Also, i have to say that this is the first time i see this website, darnmalaysia.com. I got this link from one of my friends over here who sent to all your article link in her messenger list. What comes to my mind is that just think about this website that your article is published in, and compare it to the one which has mona’s article published.
which one is more creditable???????? You are just like a fish who jumps up and down in a pan(in a hot one). you must be one of the students who feels that he/she is very cool, follows the US fashions, trying hard to speak like american, wants to pretend like one of them and etc. That is why I have mentioned that you dont know the meaning of identity. Try to find yourself and then you will be having the power to talk. If you have anything to say try to write it in good manner and have it publieshed some where creditable not in darn or damn or hell o whatever places you are their member.
walk out from the hell and try to get the permission for walking into the heaven.
Rina
July 17, 2008 at 1:49 am
Dear Rina,
Thanks for your comments.
Thank you for trying to teach me a lesson as well, that we shouldn’t criticize someone we don’t know.
I find it rather funny as well that after forcing your lesson down my throat, you then criticized that I must be indisciplined, a sucker for all things American, and also imply that I belong in hell.
Then you teach me another lesson, telling me to study and research something before I claim it.
I find it funny as well that you would assume that a letter printed in Malaysiakini deserves to be labeled “credible”, without any actual study and research yourself.
Aiyah, if you’re old enough, I hope you remember the Micheal Jackson song called “Man In The Mirror” la.
July 17, 2008 at 2:05 am
lilou,
Good! Finally you are making sense.
Let’s deconstruct your claim:
“every country had their own rule”
I agree with your statement. A good example would be how smoking pot is illegal in Malaysia, but legal in Holland.
However, why should the way a university student dresses be a rule? If you claim so that the “aurat” can be tutup, then I respect your opinion, since your religion might require it.
But if you claim that it teaches university students to dress appropriately in other situations in life, then I will say that you should join the writer of the letter and shoot yourself in the head. (Shit! Sorry Rina, I forgot your lesson already. Me bad and indisciplined. Soli lo.)
Anyway, boys and girls, if you still have anything to get off your chest, then get it off la. I’ll deal with your injured feelings tomorrow OK? I promise, cross my heart twice.
July 17, 2008 at 2:10 am
it is good to have a good subject to challenge and think about our society needs.
the subject which has been raised by mona , can be discussed as an idea only.may be her Idia is not correct but the way which klaw has answered also is not satisfactory.
if universitis in west are producing great peaple dosnt mean the way which they are wearing cloaths is ok.
we have to find more rigid base for our discussion.
maybe we can start from this question . do you think the people has to be fully free to use their own cloths without considering the norms and condition of society or there should be some regulation.
for example in the west if one lady comming on the road without bra or a man without pants , deffinetly will be arrested. then there is some kind of limmitation even in free world.
the secound question can be : what is the criterias which can specify how we dress up in different places , different societies and even different ocasions?
as educated people we expect everybody to be open for disscusing in any new subject.
July 17, 2008 at 3:43 am
I stopped reading about 20% into Rina’s comment. She sounds pompous. What was she trying to say again?
July 17, 2008 at 9:39 am
Mehran (and all others),
My point has always been, how is implementing a dress code in Malaysia, or any other university, beneficial for students and the overall quality and standard of education and research in universities.
I use US universities as an example of how not wasting time on a dress code frees up the administration’s time to actually focus and prioritize on the important stuff: quality of education. I never said I approved of the way students there dressed (I in fact don’t give a shit). Those of you who assumed I said so, remember, ASS-U-ME.
Mona gave a stupid justification by saying that a dress codes teaches students to dress appropriately for different situations. That’s stupid. Sorry, but I call a spade a spade. If something sounds stupid, I’m not going to sugar-coat it and avoid from offending your sensibilities.
We can also cut the crap on having a more rigid base of discussion that is entirely out of topic, when no dissenting commenter has offered up any credible reason why a dress code will be beneficial in Malaysia. Let that be the “rigid base of discussion”.
July 17, 2008 at 9:45 am
Rina,
“If you believe in God, you must be knowing that you are not allowed to blame some one you don’t know. It is a big SIN”
I seriously hate these statements. Does it mean that people who don’t believe in god doesn’t know?
“you must be one of the students who feels that he/she is very cool, follows the US fashions, trying hard to speak like american, wants to pretend like one of them and etc.” “in my opinion, next time before you write any article it is better to study and research about it.”
Sounds like something is conflicting. You better get to know klaw before you post things saying that he is a “student”, “follows US fashions” and blah blah to support your above argument or advice.
Add on to Mona,
“It would be a good idea for the universities to add a new course to teach students about the methods of behaving and appearing in different occasions, just like their other courses on public speaking or on research writing which are really good courses.”
Seems like the Moral education in Malaysia is working very well considering the crime rates.
July 17, 2008 at 10:12 am
maybe it has nothing to do with ‘beneficial for students and the overall quality and standard of education and research in universities’…but atleast it can protect the students from rapist or something like that..
July 17, 2008 at 11:12 am
lilou,
Come on…you read what you said or not? Will swapping sandals for a pair of shoes prevent rape?
I am trying to take you seriously la. Give me something to work on here, alright?
July 17, 2008 at 2:23 pm
HAHAHAHA. wear sandals, get raped. How to prevent from getting sodomized, lilou? Any tips?
Togo the Dog’s last blog post…Funny Picture Day
July 17, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Perhaps lilou is trying to cool us down here
(I hope lol)
Togo,
In my company, we were advised to wear two pants to prevent from getting sodomized. Not sure if you heard of that before lol.
July 17, 2008 at 6:04 pm
i can’t see any ’sandals’ word there on my comment….i think you all are big enough to understand my words….i’m not mad coz you laugh at me….you don’t know me, and i don’t even know you either…but the point here is… it’s not bad for the students i think….
July 17, 2008 at 7:26 pm
lilou,
“it’s not bad for the students”
“It” is the dress code, as prescribed by MMU, right? Cuz if it’s not, no one has any idea what you’re saying anymore.
“One of the well-known universities in Malaysia (the Multimedia University in Cyberjaya) announced new rules recently about the students’ dressing and clothing. Students who wear sandals, short skirts, shorts and open and tight T-shirts are not allowed to enter the library any more.”
Stop opening yourself to further ridicule.
July 17, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Dear Law and others
To respect each other, when we are discusing , show how much we are mature and educated.
young people will be next leaders in the world . if they can not tolerate each others idia in younghood , perhaps when they got power, they jail or kill each other ,over the Idia.
then be cool and discuss about the idia.
Please be sure when one Idia is raised you can not stop it unless you refuse it logicly.
If you start fighting with that , it will be more considerable.
Klaw: If the idea itself bears no logic, then it doesn’t need further logic to be stopped. Until now, no one has put forward a logical or factual claim on how a dress code is good for universities and their students. That includes you, Mehran. Provide ideas, we don’t need a blog moderator.
July 17, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Hi. My name is Sean. And I think dress codes in universities are silly.
I AM A HEATHEN. /legasp
In our extensively HOT, humid and sunny land of Malaysia, I love my short shorts, tastefully cut whorish tees with witty graphic art and sexily simplistic sandals. You know, the ones that BARE MY TOES for the world to see
Lord have mercy should my ankles see some sun once in awhile.
I walked into the UM library once in said attire above. I mean… doesn’t make sense I have to wear a hideous trash bag five sizes too big in the hot sun just so I don’t bear any resemblance to the human form any longer? What if I die of heat stroke!!
Who’s going to come rescue me under that canopy of mine? :/
I am also sinfully fluent in both American and British accented English and quite bloody proud of it too. I don’t see why there’s so much hate to this because the service seems SO MUCH better when I let a little of the accent slip into my conversations. Everyone is just so much nicer :))) Although, I must confess that I do enjoy trying to adopt Ebonics albeit failing quite miserably at it.
Following this train of thought, I am also quite tickled to say that I was previously an alcoholic in my American university (why, UW Madison is the #1 party school, woohoo!). But unfortunately despite my diligence in drinking my liver away, I’m still no match for my peers here in Malaysia
Spiritually, I find myself on a daily basis through dance be it hiphop, lindy, the tango or pole. I get to play dress up too!
Ok, cutting through the bullshit (because I’m about to take off, be a completely undisciplined person and stay out late at night just so I can watch the premier of Dark Knight), quite frankly, if you think a mere dress code justifies a person’s growth to find and discipline themselves, you as a human being in totality aren’t really contributing back to society at all.
Rules are there for a reason but some borderline stupidity and are downright insulting. So it depends: are you going to sit there, be a good little sausage and accept it JUST BECAUSE? Or “oyster it up”, challenge its validity and think long and hard about it?
<3,
sean^2
July 17, 2008 at 11:07 pm
p.s: TOMORROW ISN’T YOURS KENNY!! WHY HAVE YOU NOT REPENTED FOR YOUR SINS!? /shake For shame. FOR. SHAME.
:p
p.p.s: For the kids at the back of the bus humping the spare tire, I’m fluent in sarcasm too.
July 17, 2008 at 11:18 pm
ha, i wore shorts and slippers to college and i got my Bachelor all right. I wore shorts and slippers to work and I can say I am good at doing my job (Kenny can justify that). Dress code is taught naturally. You don’t have to implement some rules to enforce it. Everyone going for interview will wear formally. if he/she didn’t, probably the left or right brain is burnt (forgive my science, i am bad at it).
My top management announced that we can dress casually should we are not having any formal meeting. Mind you, this is a international company with over 1000 employees. So does that mean he and rest of us are all incapable?
lilou is the same gang as the screwy guy (WTF is that again) who said school uniform attract rapist. Lilou, grow up! i bet you are at home 24×7? Never go shopping centre, never club, never have friends maybe? If you do, you surely know there a lot of people who dress sexily and now, are you saying those place should implement dress code too to cut down rape case? WTF? Gals, next time when you go clubbing, only sweater and track pants are allowed. And did saiful dress sexily to attract anwar? If so, we have to blame Saiful right? We also have to blame the bank for keeping so much money that attract robbers? Blame the jewellery shops for showing off their gold and diamonds for robbers? Blame the lady carry handbag so that it can be snatched easily? Blame the highway for the long stretch of road for us to speed and get into accident?
Rina like god and when god created adam and eve, what dress code he gave them? NONE!
Mehran, Idia? what’s that? a new word? Oh sorry, my oxford dictionary is dated 2000 publications. Today i learnt a new word: Idia. No one said foreign dress code is good, but dress code doesn’t stop someone from being great! and i dont think a woman coming down the road without bra will be arrested. So you gonna call the police and arrest all the runway models?
July 18, 2008 at 9:12 am
Agree with Psychoric completely.
This was what Danny Choo, Microsoft Japan’s CGM Product Manager (ex) wore to work:
http://www.dannychoo.com/adp/eng/606/Office+attire.html (attention to those who thinks bare skin will melt your eyes as his website is a bit “fleshy”) (the one in StormTrooper Armor is him btw)
And check out his profile/resume:
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Probably you’ll find hundred thousands of people wanting to have the same resume and so many employers wanting to employ him.
July 18, 2008 at 10:05 am
In my first job, there was once a dude who got a MBA from a local uni (majoring in HR). I don’t know whether his uni imposed any dress codes, but he’s sure ill-equipped with the ways of the working world. Majoring in HR, kononnya…heh!
1. Many colleagues have complained that he surfed X-rated websites at work. Can’t he do it at home?
2. A month into the job, he got an offer (hell of a pay I’m sure) from an oil company. He told a colleague he was in a dilemma.
3. There was only 1 working week left in the month. If he were to quit, he was required to give minimum 2 weeks’ notice. After he got his pay, he went absent without leave (AWOL) and never came back.
4. When contacted, he gave an excuse that his mom was gravely ill and he brought her back to kampung on a non-existing island.
5. A colleague’s cousin working in the IT department of the oil company confirmed that this chap started work on the first day of the following month. The cousin helped configure newbie’s email accounts.
My question is…could the imposing of dress code be more important than rectifying the ineptitude of graduates? I rest my case.
Henry Lim’s last blog post…News That Will Rock The Nation
July 18, 2008 at 11:37 am