Opening Ceremony of the National Higher Education Symposium 2011

Bismillahir rahmanir Rahim

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh, a very good morning and Salam 1Malaysia.

Y. Bhg. Datuk Dr. Roziah bt Omar
Director of AKEPT, Ministry of Higher Education

Y. Bhg. Prof. Dato’. Dr. Md. Tahir bin Md. Azhar
Acting Rector, International Islamic University Malaysia

Prof. Abdul Aziz Berghout
Director of Corporate Strategy and Quality Assurance, IIUM

Y. Bhg. Tan Sri-Tan Sri, Dato’-Dato’,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

At the very outset let me extend my appreciation and thanks to the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and Akademi Latihan Kepimpinan Pengajian Tinggi (AKEPT) for their initiative in organising this symposium, themed “Corporate Strategy and Performance Management”. Let me also welcome all participants for whom this symposium has been specially designed.

2. The effort by IIUM and AKEPT is a noble one in keeping with the needs of the national higher education objectives and in supporting the overall government transformation agenda. This is an imperative endeavour as we intensify our efforts to achieve the goal of Vision 2020, a deadline which is a mere nine years away. Hence the importance of this symposium in addressing vital issues that will enable participants to flesh out a solid action plan to manage the process towards our higher education strategic objectives and thus provide a sound platform for achieving Vision 2020.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

3. The world we live in today is characterised by perennial and dynamic change. The impact on society is breathtaking in scope and intensity, and often difficult to fathom. The effect on individual, family, and societal needs have in turn led to dramatic changes in various facets of human life including our interaction with nature, work environment, personal relationships, lifestyle and recreation. In this regard, education as a fundamental factor that shapes human thought and behaviour, must necessarily equip individuals with the required knowledge, understanding and competencies to be productive and responsible members of society, contributing their share of intellectual and economic wealth for the nation’s well being. The trajectory of human development is tied in more ways than one to the educational process an individual is part of, and the quality of the education which the person receives. Hence we need to chart a strategic way forward in order that our higher education initiatives can contribute meaningfully to the sustainability and betterment of Malaysian society as we prepare to take our place as a fully developed nation.

4. The potential for education in general and higher education in particular to change and transform the economic structure of a region or country, to shape the values and norms of a society, as well as influence a nation’s politics have long been evident in both historical and modern times. Higher education has special significance as it is seen to provide the sustenance in terms of ideas, and the human resource for ensuring the quality and pace of development of any country. Universities in particular can create the requisite setting of history, tradition and values, while building confidence in human capability to provide solutions for both the material and spiritual world. Ultimately the university system is the instrument for social change and to fulfil national aspirations in developing a modern and self reliant-economy that optimises the capacity of people and materials.

5. Today, more than ever, we expect the same of our institutions of higher learning – to strategically utilise their capability to effect the kind of transformational change the nation needs at this critical juncture. We need to ensure that current higher education systems are optimised to yield advantages and results that far exceed expectations if we are to attain the target of Vision 2020 within the space of nine years that we have left. For this to occur, our universities must leverage on structures and processes that exist both within and without their institutional boundaries to create the right eco-system for excellence in teaching and learning.

6. For Malaysia, the investment in education has been a strategic imperative. The Government has recognised the long term benefits of investment in primary, secondary and tertiary education. UNESCO cites Malaysia as allocating the highest proportion of total public expenditure to education at 25 percent, with the country moving swiftly towards the global goal of “Education for All”. It is an achievement we can well be proud of.

7. Higher education has assumed a key role in Malaysia’s human capital development, and will continue to do so for the future. A major success has been the effort to expand access to higher education to all Malaysians. At the point of independence we had, but a single public university. Throughout the 70s and the 80s, the growth of the higher education sector in Malaysia was slow due to scarce economic resources and inadequate human capital to establish new universities. The 1990s saw an escalation in the demand for higher education leading to the establishment of more universities and polytechnics. Their establishment was also aimed at resolving the problem of placing more students at higher learning institutions. Today we have 20 public universities and 28 polytechnics in addition to private institution of higher learning, that provide a wide range of educational opportunities for our citizens, and for those beyond our shores.

8. To further fortify the higher education sector, the Government established the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) in 2004. MOHE is tasked with providing the strategic direction and overseeing the development of higher education in the country. The ministry’s mission is to create a higher education environment that will foster the development of academic and institutional excellence in line with the vision of turning Malaysia into a centre of educational excellence and to internationalise education in Malaysia by the year 2020. More importantly, the Ministry is tasked to build a conducive higher education environment that supports the development of a superior centre of knowledge, and nurtures individuals who are competent, innovative and of noble character to serve the needs of the nation and the world.

9. In recent years, the Government has initiated strategies to link the development of the university sector to the requirements of economic growth, articulating a number of complementary policy objectives notably: (a) establishing a world class university system in Malaysia; (b) making Malaysia a regional education hub; and (c) transforming Malaysia into a knowledge-based economy, including promoting and developing Malaysia as a regional centre of education excellence.

10. The current initiatives aim to create a strategic and systematic plan for higher education that will reinforce the management system of higher education while increasing capacity, accessibility and participation. The final objective is to enhance the quality of higher education so that it is at par with international standards.

11. Indeed the higher education sector has been accorded a central position in the quest for development in the country. For instance, the research-intensive university model is clear evidence of the Government’s commitment to drive education as a primary engine for the country’s development. The Government expects research universities in the country to champion the efforts in promoting scientific research and innovation to advance the country’s growth. Through their breakthrough research and innovation, these universities are expected to give direct economic benefits to the country. Our institutions of higher learning should be the beacons of advanced learning and technological progress in signalling the country’s standing as a research and learning hub.
Ladies and Gentlemen,

12. Malaysia’s future success depends on the quality of its human capital, not only in terms of intellectual capability but also and more importantly strength of character. This calls for comprehensive improvement in the country’s education system, right from pre-school to tertiary and vocational education. Hence, while we foster an enabling environment for learning as well as research and development at the higher education level, there is increasing emphasis on the development of core values and strong ethical grounding in nurturing well-rounded individuals who will sustain this foundation at the societal level.

13. Today, the Government has embarked on several strategic national initiatives namely the Government Transformation Programme (GTP), New Economic Model and the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), and the 10th Malaysian Plan, all of which are predicated upon the principles of “1Malaysia, People First, Performance Now”. These represent the strategic intent of taking Malaysia on the path towards an innovation-driven economy. In this context, higher learning institutions in Malaysia have a responsibility to enjoin themselves in the noble cause of attaining the objectives of these new national initiatives.

14. While the GTP aims to transform the Government and be more effective in delivering services through higher accountability, the ETP focuses on the development of a high income economy in an inclusive and sustainable manner. The ETP has identified 12 National Key Economic Areas in specific industry sectors with the potential to contribute most to the goals of Vision 2020. Obviously this means the need to develop a highly competent workforce that can adequately cater to the requirements of a high income nation. The expectations of the nation on higher institutions of learning to fulfil this need cannot be over emphasised. And we need to do so by embracing a culture of creativity and innovation.

15. If universities and tertiary institutions are to become the nucleus of the support mechanism for our nation’s transformation plan, it will require the nurturing of effective strategies that can empower these institutions effectively.

16. The National Higher Education Strategic Plan has enunciated the critical thrusts that form the basis for transformation of higher education in Malaysia. The thrusts aim to:

• Widen access and enhance the quality of education;
• Improve the quality of teaching and learning;
• Enhance research and innovation;
• Strengthen institutions of higher education;
• Intensify internationalisation; and
• Institute a culture of life-long learning.

17. The achievement of targets within each of these thrusts will naturally contribute significantly towards the objective of transforming Malaysia into a globally competitive high income nation with a citizenry imbued with the spirit of innovation and creativity. Universities must advocate new delivery standards that can best meet these aspirations. In doing so, it is critical that effective institutional management systems have to be put in place to ascertain and track performance levels if we are to achieve the desired objectives of the national strategic plan.

18. As leaders of higher learning institutions, we bear the vital responsibility of managing and driving the organisational capacity of our institutions. It must be acknowledged that we can do more to ensure the national strategic plan succeeds. The challenges facing us indicate that higher learning institutions can no longer operate in silo but must engage with each other even as we engage with the community at large.

19. At the recently announced Prime Minister’s Innovation Award 2010, the strategic collaboration initiative between the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) in addressing issues of crime reduction through sharing of resources in training, personnel redeployment, joint patrolling, border control and various other facets of security was recognised as an innovation breakthrough for the public sector. The higher education sector needs to emulate the PDRM and ATM’s collaborative approach in seeking more effective methods to achieve our higher education agenda.

20. We need to look anew at the mechanisms and structures that currently operate within our organisational environment. The obstacles to what we hope to achieve may well be found within the recesses of this environment covering issues of management and governance, funding, quality and efficiency, infrastructure and logistics. A review of the current landscape in all these areas may even call for a new policy framework that can contribute to substantial and sustainable improvements in the higher education system in Malaysia.

21. Against this backdrop, this symposium avails us the opportunity to examine the efficacy of the gamut of management systems and processes currently adopted by tertiary institutions vis a vis the deliverables that have been outlined by the recently-launched National Higher Education Action Plan to spearhead the transformation of higher education in Malaysia through 2020 and beyond. I hope the symposium provides participants the platform to discuss specific proposals to strengthen capacity and capability within higher education institutions. You should not hesitate to review existing internal management systems and suggest better performance measurement to ensure that higher education institutions are indeed meeting tangible targets. It is important for all of us to take ownership of this important agenda and be part of the process to realise the objectives of the national strategic plan on higher education.

22. Once again, I congratulate the organisers of the National Higher Education Symposium 2011, and wish all participants a fruitful and productive discussion.

23. With Bismillahir rahmaanir rahm, I hereby declare the National Higher Education Symposium officially open.

Wabillahittaufik walhidayah
Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh.