UUM ONLINE: Malaysian Education Minister, Dr. Maszlee Malik launched My Stage as a platform for students to brainstorm ideas and views, at the grounds of UUM COLGIS, yesterday.
According to the Director of UUM's Debate, Advocacy and Oratory Unit, Mr. Muhammad Hafiz Badarulzaman, My Stage would afford student with the opportunity in the form of a platform to express their ideas and their stance on current issues that have become polemic.
"My Stage celebrates the freedom of speech despite being free, students can not touch on sensitive issues such as religion and race and respect the differences of opinion and celebrate diversity courteously and harmoniously.
Dr. Maszlee and guests had the opportunity to witness the debaters in action, discussion was on the topic entitled, Voting Rights Should Begin at the Age of 18 Years Old, Do You Agree or Disagree, by Bachelor of Philosophy, Law and Business student, Mr. Muhammad Zairulfikri Zailani.
Among others, the Malay Language, Language of the World (Counselling student, Ms. Azzarina Mohammad Shukor), Child Marriage (Law student, Mr. Muhd Amirul Asyraf Md Asri), and International Peace A Global Priority (International Business student, Mr. Nirosh Vathumalai).
Director of the My Stage programme, Ms. Fatirah Tasha Mohamad Zainuddin, 23, said the programme was aimed at unleashing the talents of public speaking amongst the students of UUM which also symbolizes the freedom of speech as aspired by the Ministry of Education.
"Many of our students have ideas and talents that can be showcased by the university and we want to produce holistic students where their critical thinking is not just translated in the form of examinations.
"The Art of Public Speaking is seen as a very crucial skill that distinguishes between a 3k (college, bed, computer) student with courageous students who are brave to go in front to speak," said the Human Resource Management student.
Meanwhile, student of the Bachelor of International Business Management (BIBM) programme, Che Nurathirah Adenan, 22 said My Stage will play an important role in giving an overview of the mind set of today’s students, their expectations and approaches that can be taken to tackle them.
"This event is a sign of the University's support and this will make students become more excited to improve themselves either in debates, delivering speeches, hosting.
“Through this programme, students will realise the importance of debating and public speaking to promote the self-esteem and reputation of the university as UUM possess many hidden talents and if their skills are honed, these students can indeed go far.
"This is also an opportunity for UUM to highlight its strength and also prove UUM's wisdom in management which will be an important market for Malaysia's future," she said.
"We have the potential to become Harvard for Malaysian but it has to be accompanied by mature and realistic thinking rather than just being brave at putting forth immature and very idealistic ideas," she said.