Public institutions’ values go beyond rankings, says Unimas VC

KUCHING (Jan 1): Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) has defended the role and relevance of public universities, stating that broad and simplistic portrayals fail to reflect the complex realities and responsibilities of higher education institutions in Malaysia.

The university was responding to issues raised in a recent article titled ‘The Ivory Tower’s Silent Crisis: Why Malaysian Universities Must Learn to Learn’, which highlighted concerns over systemic challenges affecting academic integrity, innovation and education quality.

Unimas vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit said universities should not be judged solely based on rankings, numerical indicators or performance metrics.

“The true value of a university lies in its ability to shape ethical individuals, solve real societal problems and contribute meaningfully to regional and national development,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

He said Unimas views learning as a continuous and evolving process, driven by critical discourse, self-reflection and intellectual courage.

As a university rooted in regional development, Ahmad Hata said Unimas priorities its impact on people, communities and the environment, while international rankings and key performance indicators serve as tools for accountability and global competitiveness rather than ultimate measures of success.

To safeguard academic integrity, he said Unimas has strengthened its institutional governance through measures such as empowering the Research Ethics Committee, implementing transparent integrity policies, and maintaining a clear separation between administrative authority and academic assessment.

Addressing concerns over research and innovation, the vice-chancellor said challenges within the research ecosystem are managed institutionally to prevent one-sided narratives from undermining the collective efforts of academics.

He added that under the Unimas Strategic Plan 2026–2030, the university is advancing a people-centred approach through reflective governance, evidence-based decision-making and the implementation of ‘living lab’ initiatives that directly involve stakeholders, communities and industry partners.

“These help bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world application,” he said.

Ahmad Hata stressed that the maturity of an institution is reflected in its leadership’s ability to balance the needs of diverse stakeholders without compromising the core values of scholarship.

“A strong organisational structure is driven by leadership grounded in empathy, trust and accountability, ensuring the university remains dynamic in an increasingly complex global environment,” he added.

While constructive criticism is welcomed, he said building resilient institutions requires time, consistency and sustained commitment, reiterating that Unimas remains relevant, dynamic and committed to continuous learning.

higher education institutions lead Prof Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit Unimas