Malaysian Higher Education

Human capital is a key pillar to the relentless quest for greater development. Malaysia consistently sets aside a high proportion development budget, averaging 20%, for education. In order to ensure that students gain relevant and cutting edge skills, education institutions should link closely with industries. Academic staff particularly in engineering, technology and the bio-medical fields must keep abreast with current progress in the private sector. Only then they are able to transmit new knowledge and advances to their students.
In spite of the prevailing trend of modernization, market forces and industry requirements should not solely determine the direction of higher education. Otherwise university programmes offered will be largely commercially-driven and lacking in comprehensiveness. Universities and colleges must be centers that advance our knowledge of culture and be custodians of the enduring richness of civilization. Modernization must not come with cultural degradation.

Foundation of Malaysia unique cultural heritage and religious values should be further strengthened as this country embarks on its journey to become a knowledge powerhouse in the region. Malaysians should strive to contribute positively to human civilization and progress. Malaysia has a natural strength in its cultural diversity to prosper as an inter-civilization knowledge centre while attending to technological innovation, scientific research, and financial management. Thus universities must be open to all knowledge and ideas, and to encourage a contestation of ideas. Only then would our universities be truly world class."