Ministry not increasing number of public universities

SEPANG: The Higher Education Ministry has no intention of increasing the number of public universities in the country, says minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

“Instead, efforts will go towards ensuring all higher education institutions are of the same standing and provide quality education.

“In my opinion, 20 public universities are enough. What’s important for us now is to strengthen our existing institutions,” he said after the official handing over of Higher Education Ministry duties yesterday.

Mohamed Khaled said the ministry hopes to reach a point where there is no distinction between higher learning institutions in the country.

“We want to ensure our higher education sector can lead to better knowledge and innovation,” he said, adding that producing quality graduates is crucial to nation-building.

The ministry would, however, not restrict the opening of new private universities, he added.

“Private universities can step in to accommodate foreign students as the country strives to become a preferred education hub,” he said.

Mohamed Khaled also said the ministry would pay attention to the future direction of polytechnics and community colleges.

“I have always stressed that these two are not ‘second chance’ institutions,” he said, adding that polytechnics and community colleges complement other higher learning institutions.

He assured the people that he would carry out the good policies introduced by his predecessor Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.