(Parliament, Wednesday): DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw urges the Government to ensure that the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) or its equivalent obtained by professors and lecturers are of high standard which is recognized internationally.

The Government must let us know how far it has gone with the Project MyBrain 15 to produce 100,000 Ph.Ds by 2020 in the country.

Dr Tan comments on the Government's objective of increasing the percentage of teaching staff holding Ph.Ds from the present 30% to 60% by 2010.

In the 18 public universities in Malaysia, there are 9,600 professors and lecturers, 30% of whom have Ph.Ds and 857 are from overseas.

The Government allocates RM1.2 billion to help lecturers do research to obtain Ph.Ds within or outside this country. Hitherto, it sponsors 6,700 Ph.D students. Some can spend two years in Malaysia and two outside the country.

Universities depend on research, among other things, to achieve high standard. Ensuring most of the teaching staff members getting Ph.Ds is a sensible step. This must be based on merits. A scientist may produce work recognized internationally. Yet, he or she may not possess Ph.D. This should not stop him or her getting promoted.

When YB Dato' Dr Haji Shafie bin Haji Mohd Salleh was Minister of Higher Education, he entrusted a committee to study, review and make recommendations concerning the development and direction of higher education in Malaysia. This year, the Committee publishes a report to make this country the centre of educational excellence. It recommends that MyBrain 15 be designed and implemented for the development of national human capital. It should be planned and implemented towards producing 100,000 Ph.D graduates within the next 15 years.
Hitherto, we have not seen the Government announcing the formation of MyBrain 15. Although aiming at 60% Ph.Ds by 2010 for university teaching staff is a positive step, it would need more efforts to move forward. All Ph.Ds must be recognized internationally.