Recently, a relative of a Vice Chancellor of University Malaya was brought into the University Malaya Medical Centre for treatment. She needed an admission and thus an intravenous line inserted. It was almost midnight and the VC insisted that the intravenous line could only be inserted by the cardiologist, who stays in Shah Alam and was not on call. What is wrong with this story?

THe Vice Chancellor obviously has no confidence in the abilities of the staff that he himself governs. This does not reflect well on his leadership qualities. It was ludicrous to ask a cardiologist to come all the way from Shah Alam in the middle of the night , just to insert an intravenous line. Come on, VC! Don't you even trust the abilities and talents of your staff? How will they think of a boss that does not even have confidence in their abilities to perform the simplest of tasks?

I find it quite perplexing. I think such individuals are not worthy of the Vice Chancelorship and should step down. Even the excuse that many are students is unacceptable. It is a teaching university and if indeed a student is assigned to insert an intravenous line, it should be a commitment to education NOT shying from it. It reflects poorly on the VC and negates his battles for education at the university.

I feel a sunse of anger with this episode of events. It takes a way any sense of belonging to an institution when its flagbearers are unappreciative, unsupportive, and possess illogical and irrational behaviours. VC, you are a shame to the university!