JKR on guard against landslides

 

Taking precautions Workers busy repairing the slope at Taman Eko Rimba, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, to prevent any untoward incidents during the upcoming northeast monsoon. — ART CHEN/ The Star

Early warning systems, monitoring best defence for risky slopes, say department

PETALING JAYA: With more than 1,000 slopes nationwide flagged as high-risk ahead of the northeast monsoon, the Public Works Department (JKR) says round-the-clock monitoring and early-warning systems remain the country’s best defence against sudden collapses.

JKR director-general Datuk Roslan Ismail said although the prediction of the exact time and location of a slope collapse is still very difficult, the ministry monitors precursors at all times to ensure minimal damage.

He said that, despite advanced technologies, it is still not easy to solve all of Mother Nature’s failings.  

ALSO READ: Avoid outdoor activities, public urged

The best the authorities can do is to treat the symptoms – the precursors such as rain and soil movement.

Roslan was responding to the recent announcement by Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi that there are slopes nationwide that are classified as high-risk and on the verge of collapsing at any time.

He said that there are 1,066 high-risk slopes in Peninsular Malaysia, seven in Sabah, one in Sarawak, and 13 in Labuan.

ALSO READ: High anxiety and higher insurance costs living near hillslopes

“In Peninsular Malaysia, numerous very high-risk slopes that have been previously identified are situated along federal roads. A notable cluster of these high-risk sites has been observed on the East-West Highway.

“Current systems do not ‘precisely predict’ every collapse (of soil). 

“What the system does is detect precursors (excessive rainfall, ground movement and pore pressure rises) and issue early-warning alerts when thresholds are exceeded. 

“Research and JKR practices show early-warning systems and real-time monitoring reduce surprise failures and allow protective action.

ALSO READ: Monsoon transition brings storm risks

“Through the Slope Engineering Branch of JKR, we are equipped to address potential disasters by identifying slopes that may be unstable. The Slope Hazard and Risk Map (SHaRp) works in tandem with the Landslide Early Warning System (EWS) to achieve this.

“This Early Warning System uses telemetry technology to provide early alerts when the rainfall index measured by installed rain gauges exceeds the warning threshold. There are 73 rain gauge stations installed across Malaysia,” said Roslan. 

Other sensors and thresholds used are the robotic total stations (RTS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) at selected critical slopes to detect movement and rainfall thresholds that trigger alerts.

 “These sensors provide data on thresholds, such as rainfall amounts and displacement, to the monitoring room. When these thresholds are met, BiGBen will issue warnings, and roads can then be closed,” explained Roslan.

But he said that JKR does not just wait for these thresholds to be reached. 

“When a slope becomes imminently dangerous, operational measures such as pre-identified alternative routes, staged road closures, traffic diversions and coordination with emergency services will be activated immediately. 

“If landslides or slope failures occur, clearing the road and removing debris (landslide remnants), implementing traffic management plans, providing temporary diversion and alternative routes, and protecting the collapsed slope with plastic tarpaulin sheets to prevent further landslides before permanent slope repair or restoration work is carried out,” said Roslan. 

He said that, while slope failures are costly, the Works Ministry prioritises funding for repairs and prevention.

Roslan said that the ministry has also identified smaller sets for urgent repair for remedial work, which are specific projects with allocated budgets.

Despite the challenges in accurately predicting slope failures, Roslan emphasised that prevention remains a more cost-effective and safer approach.

“International and local studies show landslides produce large human and economic costs. 

“Malaysia has experienced costly landslide events, with academic research highlighting the cumulative impact of these incidents over several decades.

“Investing in monitoring, preventive maintenance, and remediation reduces fatalities, disruptions and long-term economic losses compared with post-disaster repairs and emergency response.

“Prevention is certainly better than allowing slope failures to occur, as large-scale landslides may result in much higher repair costs compared to early-stage mitigation costs. However, the government is subject to budget approvals and has a high backlog of repair works that must be prioritised.

“Preventive maintenance and early works budgets (and improved monitoring coverage) reduce the need for larger emergency expenditures and the indirect economic costs from road closures and disrupted supply chains,” said Roslan  - 

Related stories:

• Avoid outdoor activities, public urged
• Monsoon transition brings storm risks
• High anxiety and higher insurance costs living near hillslopes

Foreign media ‘stunned, surprised’ by aircraft carrier Fujian’s electromagnetic catapult-assisted aircraft launches

 China's first electromagnetic catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian, has achieved a breakthrough by hosting the first catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landing training for the J-15T heavy fighter jet, the J-35 stealth fighter jet, and the KJ-600 early warning aircraft, the Chinese People's Liberation Ar the links into your  my (PLA) Navy announced on September 22, 2025. Photo: China Military Bugle

China's first electromagnetic catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian, has achieved a breakthrough by hosting the first catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landing training for the J-15T heavy fighter jet, the J-35 stealth fighter jet, and the KJ-600 early warning aircraft, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy announced on September 22, 2025. Photo: China Military Bugle

The latest breakthrough made by China's aircraft carrier Fujian has attracted wide attention from foreign media outlets, with one of them saying the move was "a stunning leap forward" of China's aircraft carrier capability, while another called the sudden release a surprise. This comes after the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Monday announced that the J-35 stealth fighter jet, J-15T heavy fighter jet and KJ-600 early warning aircraft had completed catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landing training on China's third aircraft carrier, the electromagnetic catapult-equipped Fujian.

Chinese experts said the new carrier, expected to enter service soon, will elevate the PLA Navy's capability to new heights.

The only other aircraft carrier in the world that has the EMALS (electromagnetic aircraft launch system) is the US Navy's newest carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, which was certified for flight deck operations using the EMALS system in the spring of 2022, CNN noted in its report on the Fujian's technological breakthrough on Tuesday.

The EMALS system allows carrier aircraft to take off with heavier weapon and fuel loads than those operating off China's two older carriers, the Shandong and Liaoning, which feature ski-jump-type take-off ramps, enabling Fujian's aircraft to strike enemy targets from greater distances, CNN said. The report also quoted analysts as saying that the Fujian's ability to launch larger warplanes carrying higher munitions loads to farther distances will give the carrier a greater combat range than its predecessors in the Chinese fleet, providing the PLA Navy with blue-water capabilities.

Furthermore, The War Zone, a US-based defense specialist outlet, noted that not even the US Navy's USS Gerald R. Ford has ever launched a stealth fighter jet like the Fujian has done with the J-35. "[The Ford] has not launched an F-35C so far, making the J-35 the first stealth jet to achieve this feat. Based on earlier predictions, the F-35C may not do the same for some years," The War Zone wrote in a Monday article titled "China's Aircraft Carrier Capability Just Made A Stunning Leap Forward".

Naval News said on Tuesday that the "sudden release" by the Chinese military has taken the wider online commentariat somewhat by surprise. It noted that while the announcement was made on Monday, the flight operation-footage likely dates to earlier in 2025. Circumstantial evidence supporting this notion is again the particular condition of the ship at the time.

USNI News, the news website of the US Naval Institute, on Monday quoted analyst Ben Lewis as saying that the Fujian's test was a "significant milestone" for the Chinese military's carrier program.

"While it appears likely that the tests were done earlier this year, the choice to release the footage during Fujian's ninth sea trials suggests that Fujian will likely be ready for commissioning in the near future," Lewis said.

Chinese military affairs expert Zhang Junshe told the Global Times that with the Fujian's latest breakthrough, China is becoming a major aircraft carrier power, with both the carrier and its aircraft achieving world-class in key metrics.

This not only showed that the PLA has fully mastered and matured the application of complex electromagnetic catapults, but also reflected the continuous improvement in the capability and proficiency of naval personnel in operating high-tech equipment, Zhang Junshe said.

With the boost from electromagnetic catapults, the Fujian carrier formation can greatly expand its combat radius to cover as far as the second island chain in the Western Pacific, Zhang Junshe noted.

In response to a media request for comments on analyses claiming that the future commissioning of the aircraft carrier Fujian, the strike range of which will cover the second island chain, will surely change the strategic landscape in the Western Pacific region, and that some US analyses claimed that the Fujian will threaten US military deployment in the first island chain, Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said at a regular press conference on Thursday that China always adheres to a defensive national defense policy.

The development of China's weapons and equipment is solely for safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests. China will always be a force for peace, stability, and progress in the world, the spokesperson said.

Thursday marks the 13th anniversary of the commissioning of China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, with September 25, 2012 becoming the start of an era when the PLA Navy started aircraft carrier operations.

Zhang Junshe, the expert, further noted that the experience and exploration gained from the Liaoning have provided significant reference and assistance for the operation, training, and deployment of subsequent aircraft carriers, leading to a substantial enhancement of China's integrated combat capabilities for aircraft carriers.

From having no aircraft carrier to commissioning its first one in 2012 to now entering an era with three, China's naval capabilities have advanced rapidly.

"The PLA Navy will also have greater confidence in safeguarding maritime rights and interests and carrying out missions on the far seas," said Han Wei, a professor at the PLA's Naval Aviation University, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landing training on the Fujian will powerfully drive a generational leap in the integrated combat capabilities of the aircraft carrier formation, providing crucial support for conducting far seas combat missions and accelerating the navy's strategic transition from near seas defense to far seas defense, Han said.

Looking into the future, Zhang Junshe said in an interview with the military channel of China Central Television (CCTV) that China's aircraft carrier program still has significant room for development. 

According to Zhang Junshe, future carriers will transition to utilizing catapult-assisted takeoff in terms of launch systems, while regarding propulsion, the direction is toward developing nuclear-powered carriers, CCTV reported.

Enhancing the PLA Navy's combat capabilities essentially translates to an increase in strength for safeguarding world peace, contributing to better defending the country, fulfilling international responsibilities and obligations, and maintaining global peace and stability, Zhang Junshe said.

When asked to confirm foreign media reports claiming that China's fourth aircraft carrier, also the first nuclear-powered one, is under construction at Dalian Shipyard, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang told the Global Times at a regular press conference on Thursday that he was not aware of the specific situation. He emphasized that China's aircraft carrier development is always conducted in accordance with national security needs and the progress of equipment technology. - Liu Xuanzun

RELATED ARTICLES

J-35A, J-10CE among other top Chinese defense products displayed at Serbian expo

Multiple types of top Chinese defense products, including the J-35A stealth fighter jet and J-10CE fighter jet, are ...

J-15T, J-35, KJ-600 aircraft complete electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoffs, landings on China's carrier Fujian; event a milestone in PLA Navy’s transformation and construction

China’s first electromagnetic catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian, has achieved a breakthrough by hosting the first catapult-assisted takeoff ...

Pilot of FC-31's maiden test flight happy to see J-35A's commissioning, looks forward to more R&D based on FC-31

From Friday to Tuesday, the 2025 Air Force Aviation Open-day activities and Changchun Air Show are being held ...

Pilot of FC-31's maiden test flight happy to see J-35A's commissioning, looks forward to more R&D based on FC-31

From Friday to Tuesday, the 2025 Air Force Aviation Open-day activities and Changchun Air Show are being held ...

Fujian's sea trials outpace expectations, paving way for PLA Navy's three-carrier era: official media

Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian has completed multiple sea trials since its maiden sailing in May 2024 and announced the successful completion of a key electromagnetic catapult test in September 2025, putting the carrier's progress "well ahead of schedule," CCTV News reported on Saturday.

The evolution of Malaysian foreign policy

Kuala Lumpur once prized non-alignment above all else – now it sees Beijing as more reliable than lectures from the West.- Murni Abdul Hamid

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a parade for Malaysian Independence Day celebrations last month in Putrajaya, Malaysia (Syaiful Redzuan/Anadolu via Getty Images

Malaysia’s approach in navigating great power rivalry since the Cold War has largely been based on the principles of non-alignment, neutralism, and equidistance. However, two contrasting snapshots of the country’s Independence (Merdeka) Day celebration – half a century apart – offer an interesting perspective on whether Malaysia’s contemporary position has shifted away from these principles.

On 31 August 1973, Malaysia’s second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak, hastily left the joyous Merdeka celebration midway to depart for Algiers and lead the Malaysian delegation to the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) Summit. It was his first time attending the summit. It had taken several attempts for Malaysia to become a NAM member, largely due to Indonesia’s opposition and influence within the Afro-Asian group during the Konfrontasi period. Malaysia’s experience of Konfrontasi and the retreat of the British from the region pushed the country to seek friends among other newly independent states.

When Malaysia finally became a NAM member in 1970, its foreign policy gradually shifted away from heavy reliance on the United Kingdom toward a more neutral and non-aligned stance. Against this background, Tun Razak strongly felt the need for Malaysia to be represented at the highest level in Algiers to signify the country’s commitment to non-alignment – even if it meant leaving the Merdeka celebration halfway.

Malaysia’s second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak (Bettmann/Getty Images)

Jump forward just over 50 years to 31 August 2025, Malaysia’s tenth Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, left at the conclusion of the nation’s Merdeka celebration to immediately depart for China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. It was the first time Malaysia had participated in the SCO, in which Malaysia is neither a member nor an observer. It was also the first time a Malaysian leader attended China’s “Victory Parade” in Beijing, which this year took place a few days later, to commemorate the end of the Second World War, alongside other leaders including from Russia, North Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Iran.

Since becoming Prime Minister in late 2022, Anwar has visited China four times, with China’s President and Premier reciprocating accordingly (also a total of four times if including the upcoming ASEAN Summit and other meetings next month).

While China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner since 2009, relations with China have further intensified in recent years both bilaterally and multilaterally. These include Malaysia’s active involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and participation in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP). Stronger ties also extend to decisions to allow Chinese companies to develop the country’s second 5G network and to revitalise Malaysia’s national car industry, the recent acceptance of China’s vision of building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind, and the landmark creation of a bilateral mechanism with China to discuss maritime issues. Malaysia’s decision to join BRICS, and the initiative to bring in China into the ASEAN-GCC platform by hosting the first-ever ASEAN-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur, also illustrate the depth of relations.

The actions of the great powers leave little room for Malaysia to manoeuvre, and siding with the more predictable and reliable power seems to be the less risky option.

While Malaysia’s intensification of cooperation with China should not be viewed as a zero-sum game, it is hard to ignore that this occurred against the backdrop of deteriorating relations with the United States. From the perspective of Malaysian leaders, the more benign power and trusted partner today is not the United States, but China. This, in spite of several challenges, particularly in the South China Sea.

In Anwar’s speech during President Xi Jinping’s visit to Malaysia earlier this year, he praised China as a rational, steady, and reliable partner amid the turbulence of “economic tribalism” and threats to multilateralism and the rules-based order. Last year, when Anwar spoke off-the-cuff at a business luncheon in honour of Premier Li Qiang in Kuala Lumpur, he commended the attitude of the Chinese leadership as “friendly, courteous, full of respect, [and] understanding of cultures and differences”, in contrast to the “narrative from the others” and the “barrage of questions” from others – especially “the western” – on whether Malaysia’s close relations with China would be in Malaysia’s best interest.

Understandably, as an independent nation, no country appreciates being told who it should be friends with, especially when those doing the lecturing neither act as they preach nor have been reliable friends in the first place.

While closer relations with the United States would still serve Malaysia’s interests – particularly in the realms of the economy and defence – they are proving even more elusive under President Donald Trump. His arbitrary tariff impositions, aggressive rhetoric (even against allies), withdrawals from multilateral organisations, disregard for the rule of law, undermining of the global order, and coddling of Israel have been obstacles for Malaysian leaders in promoting closer ties with the United States. Domestically, various opinion polls in recent years have shown a steady decline in Malaysians’ favourable perceptions towards the United States, while favourable views of China and even Russia have increased significantly.

If the above trend persists, Malaysia might find itself moving even further away from its non-aligned, neutral, and equidistant stances that served it well in the past. At present, however, the actions of the great powers leave little room for Malaysia to manoeuvre, and siding with the more predictable and reliable power seems to be the less risky option.

Source link

Susannah Patton20h ago

Is the US really losing to
China in Southeast Asia?

A major new research project published by the Lowy Institute says yes – but there’s more to the story

New Covid-19 variant found

 

Pakar kesihatan turut memberi amaran bahawa kanak-kanak antara golongan lebih berisiko mengalami komplikasi serius jika dijangkiti varian XFG Covid-19. — Gambar hiasan

Photo: Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: A new Covid-19 variant has been detected in Malaysia, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic).

He said the XFG variant accounted for 8.2% of the 43,087 accumulated Covid-19 cases reported in the 35th epidemiology week (ME 35/2025).

He said the new variant was detected by the Health Ministry through genomic surveillance to track the spread of variants.

“The latest genomic surveillance data shows that 34% of the reported cases are of the NB.1.8.1 variant, followed by JN.1 (18.1%), XEC (13.3%), XFG (8.2%) and others (21.0%),” he posted on his X account yesterday.

He added that the number of Covid-19 cases recorded in ME 35/2025 was a 49.5% drop compared with the number of cases reported in the same period last year, which was 85,297.

Dzulkefly said one death has also been reported in ME 35/2025 – a 91-year-old bedridden person – bringing the total number of deaths this year to three.

In June this year, the World Health Organisation designated the XFG variant as a “variant under monitoring” due to its high transmissibility and increased ability to evade immunity.

Dzulkefly reminded the public to continue preventive measures such as frequent handwashing, wearing face masks when symptomatic or in crowded areas and getting vaccinated, especially those in high-risk groups.

Varian baharu XFG Covid-19 dikesan di Malaysia, kanak- ...

Majoriti

https://majoriti.com.my › maya

·Translate this page

2 days ago — “Data terkini pemantauan genomik menunjukkan NB.1.8.1 masih dominan dengan 34 peratus, diikuti JN.1 (18.1%), XEC (13.3%), XFG (8.2%) dan ..

‘Make AI an ally’

 

AS universities grapple with regulating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) among students, a niche service sector has already emerged.

Third parties are now advertising services on e-commerce platforms to help students bypass AI detectors in their submissions.

These services, marketed as “humanising” AI-generated assignments, involve making machine-produced material sound more like it was written by an actual person. This is done by refining text, replacing overly formal phrasing with more conversational language, or weaving in personal stories and anecdotes.

Stressing the need for varsities to safeguard academic integrity, educators cautioned that this is essential to ensure that students genuinely develop the competencies and skills their qualifications claim to represent.

This, they argued, requires rethinking student assessment models, including moving away from one-off major exams, integrating continuous assessment of the learning process, and introducing formal declarations of AI use - similar to acknowledging collaboration with peers.

“When learning activities are designed to consider not just the final outcome, but also the process, the responses, and how students engage with the material, those elements can serve as meaningful forms of learning assessment,” University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) development communication Prof Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria told StarEdu.

A former UPOU chancellor, Prof Melinda also served as president of the Asian Association of Open Universities, championing massive open online courses and open educational resources across the region.

“It is no longer just about teaching because knowledge today comes from many different sources.

“Our role is to determine the right level and type of assessment, so we can truly certify that an individual has gained the necessary competencies and skills,” she said.

Rooted in culture

Prof JungEducation Research Institute visiting research fellow Prof Insung Jung at Seoul National University, South Korea, said students’ reliance on “humanised” AI services is closely tied to societal pressures.

“It is a universal issue, especially in societies that place a strong emphasis on achievements and admission into top universities. This pressure tends to be even stronger in Asian cultures,” she said.

The pressure, said Prof Jung - who has over three decades of experience in open, distance and digital education - is compounded by the fact that some institutions discourage AI use, pushing students to conceal it.

“Students often aim to produce quality work quickly, but then conceal their use of AI. This is partly because some education institutions discourage AI use.

“As a result, students resort to using ‘humanised’ AI responses to avoid detection,” she explained.

In contrast, she noted that Japan’s education and employment practices create a different dynamic.

“In Japan, grades matter less because companies don’t hire based on transcripts. The minimum grade requirement is only 1.0 out of 4.5.

“Whereas in Korea, if you don’t have, for example, 3.0 out of 4.5, you don’t even get to apply for jobs at companies,” said Prof Jung, who spent 19 years teaching in Tokyo, Japan.

Agreeing, University of South Africa Emeritus Prof Paul Prinsloo noted that societal norms often influence how students perceive integrity.

“Another factor is when corruption is deeply embedded in a national culture and people routinely get away with it - without naming any specific countries or regions.

“In such environments, students may grow up believing it is acceptable to pay off authorities or buy their way through life.

“This creates a distorted sense of right and wrong, as dishonesty feels justified - everyone is doing it, or they believe they will not be caught,” Prof Prinsloo, whose expertise is in open and distance e-learning, AI in education and the ethics of student data use, explained.

Focus on learning

The real issue, Prof Prinsloo highlighted, also lies in universities’ emphasis on outcomes rather than the learning journey.

“We did not prepare graduates properly. We focused too much on giving them the right answer instead of teaching them how to think and to find the answer,” he admitted, adding that the focus is now slowly shifting to the learning process.

A way forward is to integrate continuous assessment into the learning process, Prof Olaf Zawacki-Richter of University of Oldenburg, Germany, suggested.

Outsourcing assignments through student help services is relatively uncommon In Germany due to the country’s academic system, said the varsity’s Faculty of Education and Social Sciences dean.

“Students are not graded frequently as they only receive one graded project per module.

“Learning is project-based and collaborative, so lecturers can observe the students’ process step by step.

“This makes it transparent whether the students actually did the work themselves,” he said.

Even before the rise of AI, some institutions had been experimenting with alternative ways of engaging students in assessment.

Citing an example, Prof Prinsloo said some varsities require learners to evaluate their own work based on a clearly spelt-out guideline.

“Students grade their own assignments according to criteria, and then we compared their self-assessment with ours,” he explained.

Although not foolproof, the approach encouraged accountability by prompting students to reflect honestly on their performance and take ownership of their learning.

“It becomes part of their responsibility to own up and say ‘this is how well I think I did’,” he added.

Be transparent

Prof XiaoIt is human nature to look for shortcuts, making it crucial for universities to establish mechanisms that ensure responsible use of AI, said Emeritus Prof Junhong Xiao from Open University of Shantou, China.

“Whether we like it or not, AI will be used in education.

“We, as educators, ensure that students learn to use AI responsibly,” he said.

Rather than punishing students for turning to AI, Prof Prinsloo advocated embracing it as part of the learning process.

“I want to know how they use AI. What was their process? Did they check the answer? How did they validate the answers? We should be interested in the process,” he said, emphasising that students should be encouraged to use such tools responsibly.

He also underscored the importance of transparency in learning and collaboration, cautioning that punishment of AI use could drive students to discover new ways to cheat.

“One university even has a declaration that students fill in to say, ‘I worked with a colleague or AI in this assignment.’

“We almost always punish them for working together with other students or with technology when we should be open and encourage them,” he opined.

Likewise, Prof Melinda shared that her university has already introduced an AI policy at the institutional level.

Under the policy, students are required to declare and document how they engaged with AI, such as the questions they asked, the responses they received, and how they evaluated those responses.

“We ask ‘How did you use AI in your submission’, for instance?

“They have to track the actions they have taken and document it,” Prof Melinda explained.

She, however, acknowledged the challenges of enforcement, as declarations may not always be complete or fully honest.

“Of course, it’s not a guarantee that they will declare everything, especially if they submitted something that’s completely AI-generated. We still have to reflect and guard against that,” she added.

Note: Prof Melinda, Prof Jung, Prof Xiao, Prof Prinsloo and Prof Zawacki-Richter were speakers at the Open University Malaysia “Visionary Leadership: Charting the Futures of Digital Education” public lecture on Aug 6.

Thumbs up: Mustapha (ninth from left) with Prof Ahmad Izanee (seventh from right) with the speakers and guests at the public lectures series. - AZMAN GHANI/The Star

AI in academia

THE Higher Education Ministry is committed to preparing students for a future shaped by AI and digital transformation, says its Deputy Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.

“We are improving how AI is taught and used across our universities.

“We are also building campus environments that support flexible learning, including better Internet access, modern learning spaces, and stronger support for academic staff,” he said at the Open University Malaysia (OUM) “Visionary Leadership: Charting the Futures of Digital Education” public lecture on Aug 6.

Held at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, the free public lecture series was organised in conjunction with the varsity’s 25th anniversary.

Also present were higher education director-general Prof Dr Azlinda Azman, and OUM president and vice-chancellor Prof Dr Ahmad Izanee Awang.

Subsequently, in a parliamentary reply on Aug 26, Mustapha said the ministry has outlined several measures to address the use of AI in academic writing, namely:

Developing guidelines for AI use in higher education.

Monitoring and regulating practices at the institutional level.

Revising assessment and evaluation methods.

Strengthening teaching and learning approaches that support higher-order thinking skills.

Providing training and professional development.

Upholding a firm commitment to academic integrity.

Ensuring all new and existing courses will include AI-related elements starting from 2025.

Mainstreaming the integration of AI into curricula through an “embedded AI” approach across study programmes, according to the needs of each discipline, such as engineering, technology, social sciences, and service-related fields.

Related posts:

AI and job transformation in Malaysia: What's next?

Related news:

GT Voice: Can China become global testing ground for 'making AI work'?

The transition from “making AI talk” to “making AI work” is the next frontier of AI commercialization. Could China, with its advantages in AI application, technology and policy support, be a global testing ground for such a transition?

CIFTIS showcases how China's breakthrough AI, robotics, and digital services are driving global innovation

Focus 

Tackling AI-driven crime

Nation 

On the ethical AI map with first syariah-aligned LLM

Nation 

Jakim collaborating with Zetrix AI to create

 world's first...

Source link https://www.thestar.com.my/news/education/2025/09/14/make-ai-an-ally