THE recent report that degrees from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) were not accredited or recognised reveals the utter complicity and non-accountability of higher education regulatory bodies in the country.
Malaysia advertises heavily that it has many years of experience in higher education with a well-structured system and is the destination for students to pursue an international qualification. Besides the public universities, we have 28 private universities and 22 university colleges to cater for a wide range of courses and programmes.
Higher education is said to be well regulated under the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQA). The MQA is responsible for maintaining the quality of courses provided by higher education institutions, both private and public institutions.
These assurances and accreditations by the MQA, backed by other legislations such as Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996, the National Council of Higher Education Act 1996 and the Universities and University Colleges Act 1996 have provided much needed confidence and trust in the Malaysian higher education systems.
More than 100,000 international students are currently enrolled in Malaysian private universities and university colleges.
Therefore, what is at stake here, is the reputation and long-term growth of higher education institutions in Malaysia. The government has been promoting Malaysia as a destination for higher education for the past 30 years.
The Higher Education Ministry (MoHE) must ensure that all institutions of higher education under their purview maintain their quality of courses and programmes, while ensuring that specified standards are met.
Every year an annual progress report is sent by these institutions to MoHE. As such, MoHE is in the know about the progress at every institute. The ministry can enquire if there are matters that need more information or clarification. MoHE could monitor quality and any necessary reforms can be recommended to the institution. This will avoid revocations and de-recognition of courses and programmes.
Besides, MoHE can also receive complaints from other stakeholders of private institutions about assurances of quality, teaching and improvement of course contents in line with global and national developments. This support from MoHE to students and other stakeholders will provide much needed confidence and trust in our higher education system.
This education services sector is critical to our economy and therefore regulation, constant upgrading in course content to keep stride with economic and social development is crucial.
International students, having seen our advertisements and promotions of higher educational opportunities, have come here committing college fees, living expenses, and the most important part of their lives in Malaysia.
It is our responsibility that we keep our promises and pledge to provide quality education. In this regard, the revocation of a university degree, after spending money and time, is a betrayal of our promise to foreign students. MoHE has also contributed to this debacle.
What has happened to LUCT will raise doubt and fear among their students. MoHE was not diligent in monitoring the delivery of courses and programmes in higher learning institutions.
They can come up with elaborate blueprints, legislations, and policies but implementation and monitoring are what makes the difference where MoHE and the Education Ministry have disappointed the students.
Participation of private sector and private academics can enhance and improve the delivery and make this sector more growth oriented. MoHE has never come out and aired these problems. These are national problems that MoHE cannot sweep under the carpet. It must make public the issue and alert all stakeholders to take note and make changes.
S.Ramakrishnan is Bekok assemblyman
