PETALING JAYA: Speeding up the establishment and accreditation of new courses in varsities will bring Malaysia one step closer to achieving its goal of becoming an international education hub, say stakeholders.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Ekhwan Toriman said that with the reduction in red tape, studying in our local higher education institutions (HEIs) can become more attractive to international students.
He said the institutions would also become more competitive with their global counterparts, and at the same time, public HEIs in particular will have more space to be creative.
Prof Mohd Ekhwan said that currently, the process takes a long time because of red tape.
“By right, we can expedite the process without compromising the quality and integrity.
“Of course agencies must also be more transparent and more collaborative for this to happen,” he added.
Prof Mohd Ekhwan was commenting on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s order to shorten the amount of time it takes to begin new courses in HEIs so that Malaysia is not left behind.
Universiti Malaya (UM) vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman said the timeline and the processes must be sped up but not at the expense of a comprehensive overview and strategic analytical calculations on the impact of the new courses.
“For far too long, we have been constrained and hampered by past bureaucratic barriers that have made it a painstakingly slow and difficult process to make changes or to introduce new courses that have a profound positive impact on national interests and in new key industrial returns.
“It is because of this systemic and ingrained loophole and dogma of the past that have prevented us from achieving the best outcome for the country.
“The speeding up of the processes will have a positive impact, as the speeding up of the approval process will not mean that there will be a compromise in terms of the quality of assessment.
“In UM, we have always maintained a robust and stringent check and balance system to ensure that the highest quality is observed but the system needs to be overhauled to ensure that we are in line with the demands and trends of the future,” he said.
National Association of Private Educational Institutions secretary-general Dr Teh Choon Jin said speeding up the accreditation of new courses in varsities would be very beneficial for the introduction of fields relevant to technology and artificial intelligence.
“Given that the world is increasingly centred around these domains, it is crucial to introduce programmes that equip students with the skills needed in these rapidly evolving sectors.
“Granting autonomy to universities empowers them to initiate their programmes more promptly, enabling a swift response to market demands and emerging trends,” he said.
He also said that autonomy would instil a sense of accountability within universities for their quality assurance processes, adding that the transition from a protracted audit process to a more efficient system fosters innovation and enhances agility within the education sector.
He also added that with less time being taken to get the courses out, institutions can attract a greater number of students by offering a diverse array of courses that align seamlessly with current industry needs.
“This responsiveness enhances the overall relevance of Malaysian universities, positioning them as dynamic educational hubs finely attuned to the demands of the job market,” he said.
Parent-Teacher Association chairman Mak Chee Kin of Kolej Tingkatan Enam Tun Fatimah, Melaka, said the act would be good for reforming education and encouraging micro-credential modules.
“Everyone will have a chance to learn something new aligned with the current needs. As long as the process is done structurally with expert review, it is a positive move,” he said.
