KUALA LUMPUR: Universities must be given greater autonomy, but this must come with measurable accountability, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the new legal framework for higher education should give universities more room to operate while ensuring accountability for the quality of learning, graduate mobility and research impact.
“For me, universities need to be given more space, but this space must come with measurable accountability for the quality of learning, graduate mobility and research impact,” he said when closing the 2026 Malay Education Convention on Tuesday (Sept 8).
Zahid said with the repeal of the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU), attention should now turn to the new legislation that would serve as the legal and governance framework for higher education institutions.
“For me, it has been abolished and that is the Government’s decision. The question is what the new Act will be as a legal and governance guideline for higher education institutions,” he said.
Zahid, who was a student activist, said students should have greater opportunities to participate in decision-making and introduce new ideas.
He said student activism should not necessarily mean weekly street demonstrations, speeches or rallies, but could instead focus on intellectual and professional development.
“I am very confident that student leaders and students as a whole will have a higher mindset without AUKU restricting their thinking and minds.
“Do not restrict students through other methods. Do not restrict academics through other methods,” he said.
On education, Zahid said success should not be measured merely by access, enrollment or qualifications.
“Graduation is the output, mobility is the outcome,” he said, adding that the proposed Education Mobility Index would track factors including socioeconomic background, learning achievement, employment, skills matching and income progression.
He said institutions with a Bumiputera mandate should aim for at least 80% of graduates to secure jobs matching their qualifications and skills.
Zahid also highlighted TVET as a pathway for social mobility, saying the Government wanted TVET graduates to receive a premium starting salary of RM3,500 a month.
“Certificates open doors, but skills, productivity and value determine how far someone can go,” he said.
Zahid also called for a shift from producing knowledge workers to creating knowledge owners, including technology developers, founders and intellectual property holders.
He said this would be crucial for graduates to remain competitive as the country moves towards a more skills- and innovation-driven economy.
