TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Your letters: Have academic writing centers for theses
I refer to the letter âGood writing vital for thesisâ (The Star, Feb
Change Size
I
refer to the letter 'Good writing vital for thesis' (The Star, Feb. 1) by Ranjit Singh Malhi and agree with him.
The written works by undergraduates and postgraduates in Malaysian universities leave much to be desired.
Unlike American universities where a writing center to help students is usually available, the majority of Malaysian universities do not have such a place where students with writing problems can receive help and advice.
Supervisors are very busy people.
If they were to spend time correcting English grammar in students' drafts they would lack time for the things that matter (structure and methodology issues).
This type of copy editing can be referred to those in the Academic Writing Centre or Academic Writing Unit.
Lecturers also can call on editors at the center to edit their work before submission to international refereed journals.
To improve the quality of theses and dissertations from Malaysian universities I suggest that the Education Ministry make it mandatory for local universities to set up Academic Writing Centres.
ALIA ANREEN
The Star/ANN/Selangor, Malaysia
