KOTA BARU: Courses of study offered at institutions of higher learning are reviewed before implementation to ensure the programmes remain relevant, resilient and meet current industry needs, says the Higher Education Ministry.
Ministry secretary-general Datuk Aminuddin Hassim said that any new course would need to undergo evaluation by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) before being implemented to ensure that they truly meet the needs of the job market.
"MQA will conduct a comprehensive assessment based on industry input to ensure that the courses offered are relevant, sustainable and needed by the market.
"The ministry is also continuously monitoring this development, including at private institutions of higher learning, because the implementation of any programme involves costs and institutional readiness," he said.
He said this when asked to comment on the actions of several institutions of higher learning in abolishing courses that are no longer relevant to the current job market requirements after officiating the closing ceremony of the 19th Malaysia Fira Cup 2026 here on Thursday (June 11).
Aminuddin said that during every academic session, the IPT senate would convene to consider proposals to introduce new courses or discontinue existing ones in line with current needs, including taking into account new government policies.
He added that the same process is also implemented at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions under the ministry, namely polytechnics and community colleges, which this year involved reviewing several programmes, including the Diploma in Textile Technology.
He also said that the ministry is in the process of upgrading 10 polytechnics to Premier Polytechnic status by 2027, thereby enabling them to introduce Bachelor's Degree programmes to strengthen the country's TVET sector.
Meanwhile, Aminuddin advised Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) graduates not to reject offers for admission to IPTs due to financial concerns as the government provides various forms of assistance to help ease the students' financial burdens.
"The ministry views this matter seriously and is always ready to assist students in need through various aid channels," he added. – Bernama
