Earlier today, it was reported that a group of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) students were receiving backlash online for dressing like Ku Klux Klan (KKK) members while parading through the UiTM Dengkil campus.
Now, UiTM is speaking up.
According to a report by Kosmo, UiTM Vice Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr. Shahrin Sahib @ Sahibuddin shared that the students were dressed that way over a presentation for the Contemporary Global and Legal Issues course, aimed to encourage critical thinking and awareness among students on international human rights issues.
He further explained that the students had chosen to present issues related to racial discrimination and hatred based on skin colour, which are among the human rights violations that have occurred in several countries.
“The costumes and visual elements used are intended to help increase understanding and appreciation of the topics presented, as well as provide a more comprehensive picture from a historical and global perspective,”
“The visual approach is part of the pedagogical method to support high-impact delivery in class, in line with the course objectives which encourage analytical thinking and civic awareness among students,” he said.
No element of insult to any religion was mentioned or discussed
Prof. Datuk Dr. Shahrin added that the lecturers and faculty responsible ensured that the presentation was conducted in a controlled manner and based on academic principles, without touching on any sensitivities related to religion, culture or racism.
“UiTM also stressed that it always emphasises universal values such as tolerance, respect and intercultural sensitivity in all academic and co-curricular activities,”
“This institute remains committed to a responsible, ethical and critical thinking-oriented education approach in order to form a generation of students who are mature and sensitive to global issues,” he said.
He ultimately hopes that this explanation will clarify the true situation and end the misinterpretation of the assignment.
“UiTM will continue to empower students’ learning experiences holistically and comprehensively,”
“We also call on all parties to evaluate incidents like this within the academic framework and not interpret them outside of their original context, in line with the spirit of inclusive and dynamic education that is the backbone of the country’s higher education,” he added.
What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
