PETALING JAYA: Malaysia affirms that higher education must enable people from diverse backgrounds to learn with and from each other, says Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
In a statement on Saturday (May 24), he said the country remains committed to the principles that give education its purpose and reach.
"Malaysia will continue to support inclusive education and stand with institutions and communities affected by measures that limit access and weaken diversity. We also affirm the belief that higher education must enable people from different backgrounds to learn with and from one another.
"Our universities reflect this commitment through policies and partnerships that prioritise access, collaboration, and respect. These choices express our values and shape the future we seek to build," he said following the Trump administration’s move to bar Harvard University from enrolling international students.
Zambry added that the decision to restrict international student access at Harvard University reflects a wider trend.
While the case is timely and familiar, it points to a broader retreat from inclusion and openness in higher education, he pointed out.
The deeper issue is the shifting values that such actions reveal, challenging long-standing principles that have allowed universities to build trust across borders and create space for shared intellectual growth.
As such, he said the global higher education community is observing with concern the growing rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the United States.
On Friday (May 23), the Harvard Club of Malaysia (HCM) voiced strong support for the University opposing the Trump administration’s move to bar the institution from enrolling international students.
HCM declared its solidarity with Harvard’s stance, reaffirming its dedication to the core values that define both the university and its alumni network.
Its president Khoo Eu Wen said that alumni are ready to meet the challenge by championing intellectual and cultural exchange, while also ensuring that Malaysian students remain motivated to achieve their hopes and dreams.
