Malaysia Drafts New Policy to Replace AUKU by 2035
The Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education has announced plans to introduce a more comprehensive higher education legal framework. This initiative is part of the National Higher Education Development Plan 2026-2035, which is currently being drafted by the ministry.
The primary goal of this measure is to replace the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU), which has been in use for a long time. The government intends to create new legislation that is more relevant to the needs of modern education and current global developments.
According to the Minister of Higher Education, this change is essential to ensure that the higher education ecosystem in Malaysia is more competitive. The new framework is expected to grant more autonomy to public higher education institutions in managing their academic and administrative affairs.
This plan also aims to empower the quality of national education to be on par with international standards. With more modern legislation in place, universities are expected to produce graduates who are more creative, innovative, and prepared to face the challenges of the future job market.
Overall, this effort demonstrates the government's commitment to implementing a more inclusive educational transformation. The ministry will continue to hold engagement sessions with various stakeholders to ensure the smooth implementation of this new policy by 2035.