By Muammar Hadi
SHAH ALAM, 30 March 2022: Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) has taken a stand against a lecturer who was caught on camera verbally humiliating a B40 student for not having a laptop during an online class, according to The Star report.
The university’s vice-chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr. Roziah Mohd Janor said they will not tolerate anyone who tarnishes the good name of the university, intentionally or not.
The university’s vice-chancellor then said in a statement released on Wednesday that “the university has studied the issue and taken swift and appropriate action against the lecturer” after the video of the incident went viral.
She continued saying that the university places high importance on the wellbeing of its members especially the students.
“UiTM was formed to help the underprivileged continue their studies,” said the vice-chancellor.
“UiTM understands the challenges faced by students in the online learning and teaching process,” she said adding that the university has funds for students in need.
In the viral video of the incident, the lecturer criticised the student for attending the online class using his phone where she then told the student to ask his sister to pawn off her gold bangle and use the money to buy a laptop.
She emphasised that the student would do poorly in class and end up dropping out without a laptop.
“The price of a laptop is only RM800. What is your problem? That’s why I can’t sit with B40 people. They’re thinking more of other matters than their lessons,” said the lecturer followed by a final remark that she did not want to see him again and had requested that he turn off his camera.
The original Twitter account that uploaded the viral video late Tuesday (March 29) has since been removed.
The vice-chancellor encouraged any UiTM student in need to reach out to their faculties or the university itself in order to receive appropriate help in regards to their studies. ***
Source: The Star