Prof Asma: The new blueprint will focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.
The Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint (MHEB) 2026 - 2035 will comprise 10 thrusts (see infographics) aimed at promoting a more inclusive and equitable higher education system.
Emerita Prof Datuk Dr Asma Ismail, who heads the development of the MHEB, said the upcoming blueprint will also include efforts to increase diversity in student and faculty populations, develop curricula that reflect diverse perspectives, and provide support services for marginalised students.
The MHEB, said Prof Asma who is the vice-chancellor and chief executive officer of IMU University, has to be a “living document” that can change and adapt to inevitable future disruptions.
“The blueprint must be agile and adaptive due to many rapid disruptions, including technological advancements, that will affect higher education especially in the next 10 years,” she said during the 2024 Academic Convention in Putrajaya on Oct 21.
The convention, organised by the Academy of Professors Malaysia, was held to explore the role of academia in determining the direction of the nation’s higher education system in the development of the MHEB.
Introduced in 2015, the current blueprint will end next year.
Prof Asma said the current blueprint had faced numerous setbacks and challenges such as changes in government and the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, preventing it from reaching its full potential.
One of the key shortcomings identified in the current blueprint, she added, is the lack of emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
This, she assured, will be addressed in the upcoming blueprint.
Students, she said, are struggling increasingly with mental health challenges, and the problem is made worse by inadequate online learning infrastructure.
“Data shows rising cases of cyberbullying, anxiety disorders, and even suicides. In our focus group discussions, students have raised how serious this issue is.
“This lack of early intervention is compounded by the insufficient emphasis on DEI, which impacts both students and academic staff alike,” she added.
In developing the new, adaptive blueprint, she said the ministry has employed a rigorous, data-driven methodology – with the involvement of 5,792 stakeholders to obtain views on the next higher education blueprint.
“A total of 1,816 survey responses from academics, students, industries, and communities were also collected to identify key issues and challenges,” she said, adding that the initial feedback indicates general satisfaction with the current blueprint and the need for forward-thinking reforms.
The challenge now, she added, is figuring out how Malaysian higher education can progress to the next level through the new blueprint.
She said preparing students with future-ready skills is essential—not just for today’s workforce but for a rapidly evolving world where industries can look completely different in a matter of two short years.
“DEI is important. It’s not just about being job-ready anymore; students must develop skills for life.
“We need to now have a one nation approach if we really want to ensure the blueprint remains relevant and impactful,” she said.
The convention was launched by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir.
