No plans to open new public varsities, says Khaled

SEPANG: The Higher Education Ministry has no plans to increase the number of public universities in the country.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the current number is sufficient to cater to the country’s tertiary education needs.

“In my opinion, 20 public universities are enough. What’s important for us now is to strengthen our existing institutions,” he said here on Wednesday (Dec 14).

However, he added that the ministry will not restrict the opening of new private universities.

Khaled said this at the official handing-over of Higher Education Ministry duties.

The former Johor mentri besar previously held the portfolio for five years between 2008 and 2013.