8 - Private higher education institutions in Malaysia

Abstract

Globalization demands revolutionary changes to the landscape and ecosystem of higher education institutions (HEIs) to ensure simultaneous changes in human capital from that of a product-based economy to a knowledge-based economy. The history of world civilization has revealed that none of the existing blueprints of HEIs are permanent. A blueprint is periodically reviewed and modified in line with current thinking and needs. Malaysia is no exception. In this country, there are public and private higher education institutions. The trends, changes, and challenges in higher education over the past 55years are presented with emphasis on private higher education institutions. The mindsets of the ruling elites, including the first and second mindset changes, are described. The entrepreneurs from the government and the private sectors in the establishment of the private higher education institutions, and the pioneering work done by the National Association of Private Institutions of Education and the Malaysian Association of Private Colleges and Universities, are acknowledged. The Ministry of Education (MOE) promotes and improves the quality of higher education by implementing the Malaysian Qualification Framework (MQF) through the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA). MOE has also initiated the rating system for HEIs—SETARA Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education Institutions. These recent developments are significant contributions and with pride by MOE in playing their role in fulfilling the Malaysian Government Vision 2020 Plan: to make Malaysia a center of higher education excellence by the year 2020. The chapter ends with a section on the way forward and a closure on food for thought.