JOHOR BARU: The Higher Education Ministry will introduce a centralised system to streamline admissions for international students in Malaysia, says Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir (pic).
He said the system aims to ensure that certificates submitted by applicants meet the entry requirements of Malaysian higher education institutions as part of the ministry's broader Higher Education Transformation Agenda.
"This centralisation effort is one of 10 key areas outlined under the transformation agenda this year,” he told a press conference in Skudai on Thursday (Jan 9).
Zambry added that a dedicated committee has been set up to determine the most effective methods for implementing the system.
"The centralised system will utilise advanced algorithms and blockchain technology, enabling instant verification of qualifications and certificates submitted by international students.
"We will also collaborate with the respective countries of these applicants to ensure a smooth and secure admission process,” he said.
Zambry said while the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) currently oversees international student admissions, the process is lengthy and needs improvement.
"Our priority is to ensure that all international students entering Malaysia possess verified and legitimate qualifications. This measure is vital to uphold the credibility of not only Malaysia’s education system but also the global education community,” he said.
Zambry also highlighted nine other initiatives under the ministry's higher education transformation agenda to improve Malaysia’s higher education sector.
These include reviewing promotion criteria within the ministry, academic promotions in higher learning insitutes, freedom of expression in universities under the Statutory Bodies (Discipline and Surcharge) Act 2000, and reviewing the Private Higher Education Institutions Act (Act 555).
Other initiatives include establishing Research, Development, Innovation, Commercialisation, and National Economy units at each institution, addressing academic staff workload, and evaluating institutions under state governments. - Bernama
