Many reservations have been voiced with regards to the Government's plan to implement a common qualifying examination for all medical graduates from foreign medical schools. Many of these reservations stem from the fact that examinations conducted locally have often been plagued by dubious processes. Many just do not have the confidence that such a qualifying examination can be conducted in a fair and transparent manner.

The Certificate of Legal Practice is one such example concerning new lawyers where the failure rates are extremely high. Are our standard of legal practice much higher than that of other nations?

Perhaps there is a need to improve the image of local establishments where the academia should maintain a high standard of educational ethics. Leaking out of questions or clinical cases for examinations have unfortunately been rife although much of these allegations hinge on circumstantial rather than any concrete evidence.

Although recent collaborations between local universities has its noble intentions, it is often plagued by unfair competition and favouritism. Afterall, these universities are in perpetual competition to prove that one is better than the other. I would be happier to see an independant body conducting the examinations rather than the universities themselves.

What the system should aim to achieve is to attract talents onto our shores and not install a facade of competence by redefining standards.

A better way to test new doctors ( malaysiakini.com )