Nation Building

Bestowal of Honorary Doctor of Laws by University of Hertfordshire

Addressed by Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Lim Kok Wing, University of Hertfordshire
25 November 1994

It gives me very great pleasure to receive this honorary doctorate. Very great pleasure indeed.

You see, in Malaysia, we have a genuine reverence for educational qualifications. Obtaining a tertiary or post-graduate qualification, signals considerable respect and admiration for the holder. A bachelor degree, for example, let alone a master′s, is very much a passport for better job and a better standard of living.

During my recent visits here in the UK, the situation seems different. It has struck me that degrees count for a lot less than they used to. They are, if you like, taken for granted. I suppose this is because they are more freely and easily available, when compared with the situation in Malaysia where there is a shortage of opportunity.

In establishing LICT, I have always had a key objective in mind. That is to create a two-way traffic in education between Asia and the world. Not one-way, with students heading just West, but two-way with students heading East too. It is important to reverse the flow because an education with a Eurocentric bias is not sufficient in Asia, and indeed vice-versa. What is needed is "world-view". Today, for thorough education to be had, one needs a world-view. A world-view is what LICT students will have.

When I researched syllabuses that would be compatible with LICT′s requirements, I discovered one crucial factor, which I would like to say, has much relevance to the future of British education, surely one of your most lucrative national assets. By British education I mean: a most high quality method and tradition for intellectual pursuit, which is recognised worldwide.

As you know, Malaysia used to be a colony of the British Empire. The legacy remains that a British education is second to none. But this has been considerably eroded over the years. Due to the grand leveller of international competition, there are many others who are in the market for providing education to Malaysians. Such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada and India.

There is, it seems to me, an urgent need for British education to re-establish itself as the pre-eminent education.

"Internationalisation" is a rather cumbersome word but in my mind, it points to the need to recognise that we do not, as countries, operate in our own vacuums. Rather, we must learn to meet and greet, mend and blend our respective ways, whenever we come into contact with one another.

There is great potential for Malaysia and Britain to continue what might be called its "special relationship" in education. Certainly, the English language is a universal language which survives by being adaptable in different contexts to suit different tongues.

I pose a question though, which I believe is one way for British education to maintain its competitiveness edge, worldwide, in the long term.

Must a British education be taught exclusively in English?

In Malaysia, we speak at least three languages - Bahasa Malaysia, also known as Malay, Chinese (including Mandarin and Cantonese for example) and Indian, (mainly Tamil and Urdu). Imagine a British education delivered in any one of these languages. While this would not be immediately easy, surely it is not contradictory and really, is it so impossible?

I think it is not only possible, it is necessary for British education to maintain what competitive edge it has. Its reputation must surely be updated if it is to continue to be of value.

Considering the usage of other languages than English would, I believe, be a start in the right direction, however impracticable it may seem at first.

Malaysia for example, is now considering becoming a centre of excellence in Asia, providing a more affordable education for more people. What role will Britain play in establishing this centre of excellence?

I believe it would be well to play a leading role if its highly respected standing is to continue, especially versus other Western competitors - Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA.

Myself, I would definitely like to see the worthy reputation of a British education continue intact.

Which brings me back to my honorary doctorate, and how honoured I am to receive it. For me, it is certainly invaluable. and I am sure, that in my lifetime, I shall not see it devalued to being a mere two letters and punctuation point. There are many in Malaysia who endeavour to do their best in promoting the value of a British education.

It is to be hoped that we can all work together for the common good.

Thank you University of Hertfordshire for this award, and thank you kindly, ladies and gentlemen, for your attention.