11 Aspirations to focus on new MOHE direction to boost national higher education

PUTRAJAYA, 30 January 2023 - Minister of Higher Education, Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has initiated 11 aspirations that would be a milestone in efforts and guidance to boost the Malaysian education sector to be more quality and recognised.

All these new plans, agendas and directions were presented in conjunction with the 2023 Minister of Higher Education Mandate Ceremony at the Za’ba Hall, Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) with the attendance of ministry staff, Higher Education Institutions (IPT) top management and student representatives and was also participated virtually by the staff of Public Universities (UA) and Polytechnics throughout the country.

According to YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled, the first is to ensure that the MOHE’s agenda and policies are in line with national aspirations, namely developing a civilised nation through several policy adjustments that would be implemented through the immediate establishment of a National Higher Education Policy Review Committee.

“Second, KPT will be professional, fair, objective and non-political in managing the higher education sector by emphasising the importance of good leadership in the country’s higher education institutions and streamlining the functions and roles of the Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT).

“KPT will also re-evaluate its overall position in terms of capability, achievement performance and future mission by empowering the KPT Development Committee which will focus on developing digital infrastructure.

“In strengthening the strength of Malaysia’s intellectual resources, talent empowerment will be intensified through increased investment in postgraduate training, doctoral and specialised expertise,” he said.

“IPT must submit the Best Talent Retention and Nurturing Plan to stop the outflow of our best talent abroad and KPT will hold discussions with Talent Corp to attract the best talent from abroad to Malaysia,” he said.

Meanwhile, to prepare to manage changes and the technology boom, they also proposed the preparation of a White Paper on ‘A New Horizon for Science, Technology and Innovation - A Strategy for Malaysia’ to evaluate strategies in managing current and technological future disruptions to teaching, learning and governance of higher education institutions in the country.

To strengthen Malaysia’s role in attracting students, researchers and global talent, universities must be a global hub of talent and knowledge.

Recognising the need for more individuals with future-proof technological skills and competencies, the ministry would undertake a major overhaul of the national TVET system and ecosystem by looking at existing data and megatrends and developing synergies across sectors and fields.

He said the importance of Private Higher Education Institutions (IPTS) in the higher education sector was also focused on helping IPTS expand the influence of higher education throughout the world by establishing various offshore branches and campuses.

“KPT places great emphasis on academic quality and excellence, including students equipped with human resourcefulness and the wisdom to manage technology.

“In addition, KPT will explore flexible education and examine the suitability of making the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) a national trust fund and improving access and education financing regimes.

“In the process of humanising people, students will be given more power, freedom, responsibility and decision-making space through movements and student unions such as opening businesses, managing association finances, planning their way of working and fighting for the student agenda,” he said.

Also emphasised was the empowerment of students by promoting gap years so that students could explore their self-interest and contribute to society.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Yang Berhormat Dato’ Mohammad Yusof Haji Apdal, MOHE Secretary General, Dato’ Seri Abdul Razak Jaafar, MOHE Deputy Secretary General (Policy), Dato’ Dr. Megat Sany Megat Ahmad Supian and MOHE Deputy Secretary General (Management and Development) KPT, Datuk Dr. Mohammad Zabri Yusoff.

The Chairman of the UMP Board of Directors, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman and UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin were also present with the Chairman of the University Board of Directors and Vice-Chancellors of other public universities.

The programme was also held online and interactively with university staff of 20 UAs.

By: Nor Salwana Mohammad Idris, Corporate Communications Division, Chancellery Department

Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology