KUALA LUMPUR – The Higher Education Ministry is reviewing Section 15 of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 to empower student movements, Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal said the review will, among others, give students the freedom to openly participate in politics, including becoming members of and candidates for any political party.
“In addition, they will be given full responsibility in relation to student movements in public higher education institutions and private higher education institutions and their financial matters,” he said.
He said this in response to a supplementary question from Chow Yu Hui (Raub-PH) on students’ autonomy.
Yusof also said the government will set up a special task force to review and conduct in-depth studies on national higher education policies.
According to him, the task force will also provide recommendations and views on the existing policies’ weaknesses, strengths, and areas where they are lacking.
“Policies that are seen as irrelevant will not be continued and those that are considered weak will be improved and streamlined,” he said.
Yusof said the task force will involve prominent figures in higher education who can contribute holistically to the sector.
He said this in reply to a question from Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (Indera Mahkota-PN) on measures taken to ensure educational reform of the country’s institutes of higher learning. – Bernama, March 13, 2023
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