Interview with Prof. Dr. Bahbibi Rahmatullah

By Victoria Nicole Ponyokai & Ágnes Kovács 

I: Our first question would be: different cultures interpret the concept of ethical technology in different ways. What challenges do you see in this when working in a global college? 

Prof. Rahmatulla: I think for the different ethical cultures in using technology, right? 
The Asians… I think we are not that strict compared to more advanced countries, things like the UK, Australia. They have very strict rules in ethics using technology as competitors. I have done projects on collecting data from children. This is just one comparison. It's quite easy to get it in Asia, but I think we do go through the ethical clearance by the university. But I found it much more difficult when dealing with the other culture. 
But I'm not sure with Hungary. They did bring me to the kindergarten. It was lovely. We got to see how it is. We did get permission to take photos, you know. 

So, I think there needs to be that understanding, like highlighting to people these differences, or what’s do and don’t before those researchers want to come and do the projects, because it will be different. 

And I think China is even more lenient with it. I remember you can put things on the kids and they are still fine with it, because they really want to advance the technology as much as possible, and also it depends on data. 

But I think these more advanced countries are more careful about it. So I think having this understanding, making them realise, is very important, and we are collaborating openly. 

I: So you studied and worked across several continents. Was there any country or academic environment that particularly shaped the way you think about education or technology in education? 

Prof. Rahmatulla: Yeah, I went to Oxford because I did my engineering in the US, United States of America. I collaborated with also many countries, I think. So the usage of technology in education, some are interesting questions to reflect on. 

I mean, some countries, again, I’m comparing the West and the East here, they’re quite slow, they take time, but once they know what to do, they will do it quickly. But on the Asian side, we like to do things fast. Like, okay, let's do this, let's do this. You know, the discussion is quite, I mean, we just have a short discussion and we already know what to do. Like we are very passionate and motivated, but we do make mistakes, which, you know, is my concern. 

So which country? I enjoyed doing my research in Oxford before. I had lectures or supervisors from two different disciplines to help shape how I think. But to bring that kind of thinking to Malaysia really makes it difficult for me, because that’s not how the culture is in my country. 

But when I came to Hungary, I was very impressed with the kindergarten's use of technology. It's a bit different also, very interesting. And I think China is way more advanced. They are reaping all the benefits. That’s why the Olympic goals will always be China, I know that forever. The United States will be like, you know, there. 

But yeah, I think the UK, because I spent quite some time there during my PhD, sort of shaped me to be like, take us in between, lead our way between the Western and the Eastern way of approaching problems.  

I: If you weren’t a teacher or a professor, what would you be? 

Prof. Rahmatulla: Oh, right. What would I be? I would have thought of that. I mean, I was supposed to be an engineer. When I came back with engineering, they asked me to become an engineer. 

But I said I love teaching, so they gave me an option whether I wanted to go into teaching or engineering. 

Sometimes I do regret it, because the salary is a bit lower as a teacher or as a professor. But as I progress, I think… and when I see my colleagues in engineering, they’re making lots of money, jumping from one company to another, going up the ladder. But I know they do have that deep down kind of thing, like, they see my impact on people is very direct, through education. So they really appreciate that, and they wish they were more like me. 

So I’m not jealous of their salary. I mean, yeah, money is good, but up to a certain point, I think you don’t need that much more. The impact we see on students is much more important. So I don’t know whether I would go and become an engineering guy. 

I love to travel the world. So maybe I’d be a normal traveller, behind you already, yeah.  

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