KUALA LUMPUR, 7 January 2024 I Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) supports the approach and suggestions by the Prime Minister, YAB Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, for universities to adopt a new approach in supporting the strategy to strengthen the nation's higher education agenda.
The Chairman of the University's Board of Directors, YBhg. Dato’ Dr. Hassan Basri Awang Mat Dahan, stated that the Prime Minister suggested that the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) should provide space and flexibility to the leadership of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in generating new ideas, which will ultimately produce disciplined and high-quality students.
He said that in this way, HEIs are seen to be better able to compete at the regional and global levels. "Indirectly, solutions to issues in the country's higher education sector can be addressed by university leadership.
“In his opening speech, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim sees that MOHE is only needs to be responsible as a coordinator to avoid any overlaps," he said at the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) Strategy Discourse programme at the Dewan Tun Dr. Ismail, World Trade Centre (WTC), Kuala Lumpur, on 5 January, 2024.
Also present were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Prof. Dato’ Dr. Nik Maheran binti Nik Muhammad, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Arham bin Abdullah, and the Director of the Strategic and Risk Centre, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Zuraimi bin Abdul Aziz.
The programme was attended by over 500 participants, particularly academia from the top management of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Chairpersons of Public Universities' Board of Directors, Top Management of Public Universities, Private Higher Education Institutions (IPTS), Polytechnics, Community Colleges, industry representatives, and experts, as well as thinkers throughout the two-day discourse with the main objective as a platform for all stakeholders in the higher education landscape.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed Minister of Higher Education, YB Datuk Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, in his closing speech at yesterday's MOHE Strategy Discourse, suggested that MOHE members supported by Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in the country, need to be mindful of the people.
According to Dato’ Dr. Hassan Basri, the Minister informed that MOHE has all the wise and intellectuals from various fields of expertise, whose strengths need to be consolidated towards propelling the nation to become a respected country not only in the region but also globally.
"Therefore, this discourse serves not only as a platform but also provides a venue for all stakeholders in the higher education landscape, especially academia.
"Through suggestions, idea sharing, thoughts, and directions by the Prime Minister, it is essential for university leadership to embrace and delve deeply into them before shaping the trajectory of the nation's higher education.
"Insha-Allah, I believe UMK can produce something more proactive and effective regarding the direction and strategic plan of the Ministry of Higher Education, especially in the entrepreneurship education empowerment agenda as the University's goal in achieving the mission and vision of the University," he said.
