Single higher education law in the pipeline
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The Malaysian government is considering a single higher education law to consolidate existing legislation governing various institutions. Higher Education Minister Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir stated that the proposed One Higher Education Act (OHEA) will address the evolving roles of higher learning institutions and the education ecosystem.
Zambry noted that polytechnics, matriculation programmes, and pre-university education could be brought under the proposed legislation. The OHEA is part of the Malaysia Higher Education Plan 2026-2035. Zambry emphasized that the new law would be comprehensive and adaptable for the next decade or more. When questioned about consolidating other higher education laws, Zambry explained that the government was exploring ways to integrate related laws under a coordinated framework, ensuring university governance remains unaffected.
However, he acknowledged that some provisions, particularly those concerning statutory bodies, might hinder academic freedom. AUKU, the existing law, consists of 44 sections, with 32 addressing governance, including ministerial responsibilities and university establishment. Only seven sections deal with students, associations, and disciplinary matters.
Zambry stated that repealing AUKU would necessitate a carefully planned transition. Future disciplinary actions against university students would be dropped, while serious offenses would still be governed by national laws. The aim is to enhance student freedom while harmonizing conflicting university regulations.
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- Single higher education law in the pipeline nst.com.my
