A Study on the Level of Ethics at a Malaysian Private Higher Learning Institution: Comparison between Foundation and Undergraduate Technical-based Students

The environment and socialization process to which students are exposed remain as important factors
contributing to academic success and character building. The Malaysian educational system, at both primary
and tertiary levels have consistently emphasized on the importance of nurturing moral values and ethics
among students. However, ethical problems among the Generation Y are often highlighted, be it at home or
the workplace. As the general well being and prosperity of a nation depend largely on the internalization of
good moral values among members of the community, an exploratory study was initiated to compare the
level of ethics possessed by foundation and final year Engineering and Technology students at a higher
learning institution in Malaysia. This paper aims to report on the research findings. A questionnaire was
developed to measure five universally accepted moral values: Integrity, Honesty, Respect for humans and
non-humans, Self Control and Courage. The comparative results of the study will give an indication whether
the environment of the University has significantly contributed in shaping the ethical values of the students
prior to joining the labour market. The findings may also show the extent of the contribution and
effectiveness of ethics related subjects in developing the moral values of students.