Blueprint maps out academic success

KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts to create students of a global standard would place Malaysia among the better countries of the world, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

He said students moulded on positive values would promote the national identity in line with the country’s progress.

The prime minister said students should steer clear of education that was not used for the common good of the people and country.

“The most extreme example is academically highly qualified people using their knowledge to make bombs,” he said, adding that the country should have students who were of positive character.

Speaking at the launch of the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 for Higher Education, Najib said he was confident that the blueprint would create well-balanced students who could contribute to the growth of the nation.

“With the blueprint, our universities are set to transform as we set benchmarks that are of global standard.”

“We must aim to be on the top one-third of nations in the world as far as education is concerned,” he said to a packed audience comprising ministry officials, academicians, educators and stakeholders.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh and Deputy Ministers Datuk Mary Yap and P. Kamalanathan.

Najib was pleased that the blueprint would see access to higher education increase from 36% to 53% in 2025, pointing out that the Government’s spending on education was the highest in Asia.

Malaysia allocates 7.7% of its budget for higher education and training, far more than countries like Japan (1%), Korea (3.9%), Indonesia (3.1%), Thailand (3%) and Singapore (6.4%).

“I believe the blueprint will bring our higher education to greater heights and I will give my full support to ensure its success,” said Najib.

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