PAS to champion academic freedom

KUALA LUMPUR: PAS has set up a task force to champion academic freedom in the country.
Set up on Sunday at the PAS central committee meeting, it will be led by PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayob.
It is a non-partisan body that will incorporate experts and NGOs in the field of education and those interested in the cause.
"We only have one objective. We want our public universities to be an excellent academic institution in future, producing original ideas and education figures that one day will be awarded with the Nobel laureate award," he told a press conference at PAS's office in Jalan Raja Laut.
"We cannot allow politicians, whether federal or state, Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat, to impede new thinking that can contribute to nation building," he added.
He said there is a need to create public awareness on academic freedom.
Salahuddin said the academia or academic institution should be given every opportunity to produce "original and fundamental" contribution and be given recognition for every effort they make.
He said PAS plans to invite stakeholders to join symposiums and seminars held in future.
"We want professors who are part of the National Professors' Council to speak up about country's policies and economic issues, besides publishing their research findings," said PAS Research Centre executive director Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, who is a member of the task force.