PENANG, 14 January 2013 - Educators are urged to be more focused on strengthening educational values and return to the main purpose of producing individuals who are knowledgeable and able to  utilise knowledge to benefit others.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dato' Omar Osman said that today’s education system is seen to be more focused on efforts to build students’ ability to compete in the very competitive world of work.

He said the focus should be improved with some effort to produce students who have noble values and a strong sense of belonging which ultimately can help them reach the pinnacle of excellence in various aspects.

“Being clever is not enough if they do not know how to respect the elderly or anyone else around. Noble values and an identity need to be established and nurture through long-term education,” he said.

He was speaking during the presentation of his paper titled Educating with Qalbu (Conscience) at the Orphans Welfare Transformation Seminar organised by the Orphans Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PEYATIM) in collaboration with several other parties, including USM here recently.

He added, qalbu is considered the conscience, the seat of the inner feelings or qalbu zakiah (pure heart) and it is very important in creating an education system that can produce overall outstanding individuals.

He said that excellence through education process is on-going and needs to be broad, holistic and an interrelated ecosphere with each other.

“This means that the educational process can be moved from a state of "thought" (ideals) to actions that will result in those who are able to think and toy with creativity and innovation that drives excellence.

“Based on these things, too, the goal of educating and educational implementation process must also get blessings which can only be achieved when the means, methods, and the results are also correct,'' he said.

Moreover, the seminar aims to strengthen capacity building among orphans and it was participated by 150 participants, among whom were operators of orphanages throughout the country.

The dinner to enhance fraternity and friendship among the participants during the programme was also attended by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang, Tun Dato’ Seri Utama (Dr.) Haji Abdul Rahman Abbas. - Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias / Photo: Mohd. Fairus Md. Isa / Translation: Yong Check Yoon