KUANTAN: Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said all the 20 public universities in Malaysia are expected to achieve their own autonomy within the next few years.
So far, he said, 13 public universities had already been accorded the status including the latest, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) which officially received the instrument for autonomy yesterday.
“In the next few years, all public universities will gain the status and we will ensure that those that have not been accorded the status will strive for autonomy so that they can move within their own protocols despite being subjected to government policies,” he said.
He disclosed this to reporters after attending the Autonomy Award and the University-Industry Aspiration Ceremony of Universiti Malaysia Pahang, here yesterday which was also attended by the President of the Pahang State Legislative Assembly, Datuk Seri Ishak Muhamad.
Also present were the Secretary-General of the Higher Education Ministry, Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang and UMP Vice-Chancellor Datuk Dr Daing Nasir Ibrahim.
At the ceremony, Idris conferred the status to the chairman of the UMP board, Datuk Seri Mohd Hilmey Mohd Taib.
Based on the record, among the universities that have received the status are Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).
Others include the Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), and Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA).
Idris also witnessed the exchange of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) and the strategic agreement in the field of research and development (R&D) with 12 selected companies including SEDIA Evolution, Evolva SA from Switzerland and the Johor Corporation (JCorp). — Bernama