Splash across the newspapers websites across the globe are the pictures of the newly wed Brits popular Prince.. Well, I don't know what to comment more since everybody has already their put their two cents here and there.. I guess I'm taking the 'indifference' mood this type.
On the serious note, I had just finish writing and submitting papers for peer-reviews. Man, what an intense week it had been! Finally today I've some time to sip my coffee, and read newspaper properly which leads me to write this entry (or otherwise I would make an excuse for myself to keep procrastinating it..).
I've come across this section in TheStar that was reviewing something about brain drain and Malaysia. Phew..I just cannot believe that I said those words in a breath. As if both of them are parallel to each other since the beginning of time.
Anyway, the report was based on the published findings of the World Bank (http://www.worldbank.org/my) that says every 1 out of 10 Malaysian brains migrate out of the country. With a population of about 28 million, that makes it 2.8 million talented Malaysians are abroad!
Well, I don't wish to engage in the issue of brain drain affecting the country here. I'm sure that there are many reasons why one leaves, returns, or ways on how the authorities are doing to tackle this diaspora.
I think it's unfortunate that the talents are leaving the country in search for greener pastures, but it's unavoidable (unless the country is going to strict regime like North Korea). I think while we can still try our means to attract those who have left, we should focus our energy even more on educating, properly train and equip those who stayed behind.
An example of such a measure is actually already in place some years back, when the government announced that mastery of Science and Maths in English is the way forward. I lauded it back then and still is now, though I cursed them for not introducing the plan years earlier when I was in high schools. One may have to despair a lot of the time with the switch, but gradually it's always a win-win situations.
I have been educated in a system with Malay as the medium of instructions, learnt everything about Science and Maths in Malay. So when it was time to enter university and sit for SAT exams, I found it cripples me to re-learn everything and express it in terms that the world understand, English. Now, after years of learning everything in English, I find it impossible to help with homeworks for my nieces and nephews. The Physics jargons that I know by heart in English now seems so alien in Malay. I bet my nieces have thought low of me now that I couldn't help but ask them back to explain what the questions want to know.
So, bring back the English as the medium of instructions for Science and Maths. I know from heart that deep in the rural areas in Borneo (or anywhere for that matter), someone will one day come out and say it out loud that if it's not for English-taught Science background she/he had, she/he would not be where it's now.
Comments: Too tired to process my hike to one of the best Day's hike in the world, Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a couple of days back. Like I said, it WAS a week full of royals and majestic landscapes!
On the serious note, I had just finish writing and submitting papers for peer-reviews. Man, what an intense week it had been! Finally today I've some time to sip my coffee, and read newspaper properly which leads me to write this entry (or otherwise I would make an excuse for myself to keep procrastinating it..).
I've come across this section in TheStar that was reviewing something about brain drain and Malaysia. Phew..I just cannot believe that I said those words in a breath. As if both of them are parallel to each other since the beginning of time.
Anyway, the report was based on the published findings of the World Bank (http://www.worldbank.org/my) that says every 1 out of 10 Malaysian brains migrate out of the country. With a population of about 28 million, that makes it 2.8 million talented Malaysians are abroad!
Well, I don't wish to engage in the issue of brain drain affecting the country here. I'm sure that there are many reasons why one leaves, returns, or ways on how the authorities are doing to tackle this diaspora.
I think it's unfortunate that the talents are leaving the country in search for greener pastures, but it's unavoidable (unless the country is going to strict regime like North Korea). I think while we can still try our means to attract those who have left, we should focus our energy even more on educating, properly train and equip those who stayed behind.
An example of such a measure is actually already in place some years back, when the government announced that mastery of Science and Maths in English is the way forward. I lauded it back then and still is now, though I cursed them for not introducing the plan years earlier when I was in high schools. One may have to despair a lot of the time with the switch, but gradually it's always a win-win situations.
I have been educated in a system with Malay as the medium of instructions, learnt everything about Science and Maths in Malay. So when it was time to enter university and sit for SAT exams, I found it cripples me to re-learn everything and express it in terms that the world understand, English. Now, after years of learning everything in English, I find it impossible to help with homeworks for my nieces and nephews. The Physics jargons that I know by heart in English now seems so alien in Malay. I bet my nieces have thought low of me now that I couldn't help but ask them back to explain what the questions want to know.
So, bring back the English as the medium of instructions for Science and Maths. I know from heart that deep in the rural areas in Borneo (or anywhere for that matter), someone will one day come out and say it out loud that if it's not for English-taught Science background she/he had, she/he would not be where it's now.
Comments: Too tired to process my hike to one of the best Day's hike in the world, Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a couple of days back. Like I said, it WAS a week full of royals and majestic landscapes!
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