Universiti Malaya's Indian Studies Dept losing popularity due to power struggle

Kuala Lumpur, Aug. 2 (ANI): The ongoing power struggle within Universiti Malaya's Indian Studies Department may soon result in a dip in its popularity rating.

It is being said that the recruitment of new lecturers from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to teach History, Culture and Art could control the present crisis.

The idea being floated in university circles, however, may see complications, since the current lecturers are eying the top posts, the New Strait Times reports.

According to sources, two meetings involving Universiti Malaya's officials had taken place in recent weeks on the plan to restructure the department to incorporate countries within the Indian subcontinent.

"The new department is aimed at stopping internal bickering among lecturers in the department," a source said.

He added that the head of the new department is expected to be an Indian.

On Thursday, MIC secretary-general Dr S. Subramaniam met Universiti Malaya's vice-chancellor Ghauth Jasmon expressing Indian community's concern over the university's decision to appoint a non-Indian to the post earlier last month.

Earlier this month, the university replaced incumbent department head, Dr S. Kumaran, with Professor Dr Mohammad Raduan Mohammad Ariff, the first non-Indian to head the department.

The event had caused an uproar within the Indian community. (ANI)