A Maldivian doctor attached to the medical department posed a quaint question. "UM is the best medical school/hospital in Malaysia, isn't it?" I paused. "It supposedly is", goes my reply tinged with a little sarcasm.

Perhaps I was afraid of embarrassing my own country. There were just too many flaws within our medical healthcare system, even in a "top" Malaysian medical school. I was doubting the fact that we have the best at University Malaya, which academicians or students in other universities likely will tend to agree.

It may be helpful to have a proper assessment and ranking of all the medical schools in Malaysia. This may trigger more competitiveness among local and also foreign universities located in Malaysia. Living in the glory of yesteryears, which UM tends to suffer from, is a very dangerous delusional state, resulting in a stealthy spiral downwards. An unbiased ranking may jolt many into the painful reality.

One thorn that will puncture any attempt at glory is the lack of meritocracy and transparency. Until and unless this is practised, all other attempts will only be futile in raising the rankings of our local universities. Refusing to accept this will only put Malaysia in an academic doldrum, driving away special talent to accommodate a more mediocre group. Special privileges only creates a mirage of success and achievements that will undoubtedly crumble at the sight of fierce challenges.

Our leaders need to be far-sighted if Malaysia is to achieve greatness. Anything less will only make Malaysia a laughing stock to many in the future, even to "lesser" nations like Maldives.