Malaysia starts work on new higher education blueprint

KUALA LUMPUR: Work on a new higher education blueprint has begun as the current Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education) will end next year.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the new blueprint would be more futuristic for the benefit of the nation now and in the future.

“This involves comprehensive planning for the future of the country,” he told reporters after chairing the first meeting for the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint 2026-2035 Advisory Committee on Thursday (July 11).

He said the meeting was held together with experts in higher education, the industry, and some who were part of the formulation of the current higher education blueprint.

He added that former higher education ministers, including Tan Sri Idris Jusoh and Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, together with figures who helped formulate national policies such as Datuk Seri Idris Jala, will be part of a group of advisors.

A panel of 12 experts headed by former higher education director-general Prof Emerita Datuk Dr Asma Ismail will also be part of the efforts to create the next blueprint.

The others are Prof Emerita Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir, Prof Datuk Wira Dr Raha Abdul Rahim, Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Saleh Jaafar, Prof Datuk Dr Wahid Omar, Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohd Azraai Kassim, Prof Dr Norhayati Mohamed, Prof Dr Abhimanyu Veerakumarasivam, Prof Datuk Dr Mohammad Shatar Sabran, Prof Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit, Prof Dr Massila Kamalrudin and Dr Guan Eng Chan.

Among the key takeaways from the first meeting, said Zambry, was that higher education needs to be agile, especially in the digital world.

“Education also cannot be done in a conventional, siloed way.

“We need to carry out early preparations to determine the next 10 years,” he said.

Zambry said they will be holding other engagement and townhall sessions with other stakeholders to gain their feedback for the blueprint.

The ministry is also conducting a national survey that is open to the public to get their feedback for the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint 2026-2035.

It can be accessed at here.

Zambry added that the initial report for the new blueprint is expected to be ready by the end of this year.

“The quality of Malaysia’s education must be world-class,” he said, adding that they do not just want technology-centric but also human-centric graduates.