WMY CLP IS NOT NEEDED FOR UUM LAW GRADS?

The Star Online > Focus Wednesday September 10, 2008

UUM law grads left in limbo

UNIVERSITI Utara Malaysia (UUM), a local government university, has been offering law courses for the last five years. A good number have graduated and many others still pursue the course.

Students take four years to complete the course which matches the design and syllabus of law courses offered by other local universities.

Students are also exposed to practical training as part of their course.

However, a check with the Malaysian Bar Council shows that the Bachelor of Laws degree awarded by UUM has yet to be recognised for admission to the Malaysian Bar.
Thus, the graduates are unable to practise and have to seek other employment while hoping for some positive development.

Pursuing a course which is not recognised by the related professional body is a waste of time, effort and money.

The Government has always defended the system and quality of public education. But in this case, a degree from the very system fails to satisfy the relevant professional body.

A situation like this is distressing to the graduates who have placed their faith in public institutions of higher education.

After having spent their productive years pursuing a degree, the graduates are sadly left in a void.

Most students who enrol in public universities are from families which cannot afford private institutions.

I understand that the university is working hard towards obtaining recognition.

I hope that all agencies, ministries and professional bodies would take the trouble to expedite this matter so that the graduates could make meaningful contributions and not live in anxiety and uncertainty for an indefinite period of time.

Otherwise, the course should be discontinued to save everyone (graduates, students, parents and the Government) further embarrassment and anxiety.

W.K.L.,
Penang.

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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Dear Sir/Madam,

CONCERNING BACHELOR OF LAW DEGREE [LLB (HONS)] IN UUM

1. We would much appreciate if all Agencies, Ministries and Professional Bodies would pay fully attention to the pending recognition of Bachelor of Law Degree in UUM.

2. The facts are:

(a) The design and syllabus of law courses offered match other local universities;

(b) Adequate and international standard facilities provided, namely library, moot court, lecture room and so on;

(c) Two times internship training in Superior court and Subordinate court in each states, law firms or other Professional Bodies;

(d) Compulsory to attend two interviews and motivation talks called by the Professional Bodies for recognition purpose;

(e) Participation in Jess Up Moot Competition, National Client Counseling Competition and Law Conference held by other recognized universities;

3. The problems are:

(a) Delay in Law Degree recognition by relevant Professional Bodies which takes almost 5 years (starting from year of 2003);

(b) High percentage to sit for CLP examination which requires non-affordable examination fees and courses taken fees;
(Estimate RM3,000 for exam fees + RM9,000 for courses taken in nine months = RM12,000)

(c) Waste of time, effort and money for four years (not including during the period of waiting for recognition for one year or a few months);

(d) Difficulty to seek other employment;

(e) Faced embarrassment, ridicule, disparage and prejudice as unable to do chambering after graduated; and

(f) Unreasonable as law courses offered by local government university itself unrecognized.

4. We request for recognition without CLP.

5. We really hope all parties would give full co-operation and provide any solutions to help UUM law students to expedite this matter.

Thank you so much.


Yours faithfully,
UUM LAW GRADUATES