'Uniforms' stifle creativity among varsity students
Thursday, July 26, 2007
THE dress code guide by Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) has created an uproar again. However, it finally came to an end when the university immediately clarified that there were errors in the posters spelling out the code.
Public universities usually have a flexible dress code for students. They require students to dress modestly and to wear suitable clothing in accordance with the occasion. Shouldn't mature students be already aware of basic etiquette in choice of attire?
Those who have never studied in a public university would think it is unbelievable when told that the rigid UUM dress code had imposed many restrictions on students. Generally, foreign universities have a set of unwritten rules on dress code. Unless there is any special occasion, the students are free to dress as they please in campus and the university would not bother them.
When a university controls its students' dressing by chasing them out of classrooms, or fining them for not wearing their "uniforms", it can be extremely negative. Even if some students are stubborn and do not know basic etiquette in dressing, shouldn't it be the role of a university to educate them in a civil manner?
Once again our public universities have imposed restrictions on the way students dress. They think clothing is related to ethics, courtesy and decency. Well, they are correct. But the so-called decency they prescribe is unsuitable in our environment, and even touches on the sensitive issues of race and religion?
Some universities require students to wear long-sleeved shirt, tie and slacks and even want females to wear office attire. It defeats common sense to wear such thick clothing in this tropical country.
Apart from sitting inside the classroom for lessons, more often the students learn and have activities outside the classroom. If the students don't have freedom in their dressing, then how can they live their youth to the fullest during university life, dynamically and creatively?
Furthermore, if our bodies are not well ventilated, it is not good from the health and hygiene point of view. No wonder so many young people nowadays seem weaker.
A university that forces a rigid dress code on students is just imposing dominant a culture on them. Students are not allowed to think on their own, and that is why some deride the university for enforcing a "uniform" on students.
Uniforms are designed for people who need firm management — primary and secondary students maybe. But shouldn't mature students be freed from this "uniform" mentality?
Allowing students freedom in dressing helps them to be more creative, to be independent in thinking. This enables them to bring fresh ideas which can be positive to society.
It is enough as long as the university dress code specifies modest dressing. Then the university should just let the student decide what to wear and how to wear it.
If the students are not allowed freedom to choose their clothes or their dressing is forced upon them, I believe they will be weak in handling interpersonal relationships. Moreover this could also have a negative influence on their performance in future workplaces. Creativity and fresh ideas are stifled which in turn dulls independence and vigour in the pursuit of knowledge. Sin Chew Daily/ANN
Public universities usually have a flexible dress code for students. They require students to dress modestly and to wear suitable clothing in accordance with the occasion. Shouldn't mature students be already aware of basic etiquette in choice of attire?
Those who have never studied in a public university would think it is unbelievable when told that the rigid UUM dress code had imposed many restrictions on students. Generally, foreign universities have a set of unwritten rules on dress code. Unless there is any special occasion, the students are free to dress as they please in campus and the university would not bother them.
When a university controls its students' dressing by chasing them out of classrooms, or fining them for not wearing their "uniforms", it can be extremely negative. Even if some students are stubborn and do not know basic etiquette in dressing, shouldn't it be the role of a university to educate them in a civil manner?
Once again our public universities have imposed restrictions on the way students dress. They think clothing is related to ethics, courtesy and decency. Well, they are correct. But the so-called decency they prescribe is unsuitable in our environment, and even touches on the sensitive issues of race and religion?
Some universities require students to wear long-sleeved shirt, tie and slacks and even want females to wear office attire. It defeats common sense to wear such thick clothing in this tropical country.
Apart from sitting inside the classroom for lessons, more often the students learn and have activities outside the classroom. If the students don't have freedom in their dressing, then how can they live their youth to the fullest during university life, dynamically and creatively?
Furthermore, if our bodies are not well ventilated, it is not good from the health and hygiene point of view. No wonder so many young people nowadays seem weaker.
A university that forces a rigid dress code on students is just imposing dominant a culture on them. Students are not allowed to think on their own, and that is why some deride the university for enforcing a "uniform" on students.
Uniforms are designed for people who need firm management — primary and secondary students maybe. But shouldn't mature students be freed from this "uniform" mentality?
Allowing students freedom in dressing helps them to be more creative, to be independent in thinking. This enables them to bring fresh ideas which can be positive to society.
It is enough as long as the university dress code specifies modest dressing. Then the university should just let the student decide what to wear and how to wear it.
If the students are not allowed freedom to choose their clothes or their dressing is forced upon them, I believe they will be weak in handling interpersonal relationships. Moreover this could also have a negative influence on their performance in future workplaces. Creativity and fresh ideas are stifled which in turn dulls independence and vigour in the pursuit of knowledge. Sin Chew Daily/ANN
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