Education is the responsibility of the Federal Government and Malaysia is committed to providing sound education to all.
Malaysia's 93% literacy rate is one of the highest in the world, and this is a reflection of the enormous importance the Government places on the pursuit of knowledge and education.
A sum of RM29 billion (as compared to last year's RM20.2 billion) or one-fifth of the 2006 Budget is provided for education and training to benefit 5.7 million students, to enable the people to master knowledge and skills, particularly in science and technology.
The 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP) for the year 2006 up to 2010 has placed a lot of importance on education and training and lifelong learning. In line with the greater focus on human development under 9MP, a total of RM40.3 billion (about 21% of the total allocations) will be allocated for the development expenditure for education and training.
Since 27 March 2004, pre-tertiary education (i.e. from pre-school to secondary education) is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education (MOE) while the tertiary or higher education is the responsibility of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). This is one of the steps made by the Government in line with the vision of the Government to make Malaysia a centre of educational excellence.
For year 2006, an unified national quality assurance agency for quality assurance (QA) of both public and private institutions of higher learning will be established, namely Malaysia Qualifications Agency (MQA).
Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia (MOHE)
The Ministry of Higher Education was established on 27 March 2004. On 15 July 2004, the Ministry of Higher Education began operating at Block E3, Parcel E, Pusat Perbadanan Kerajaan Persekutuan Putrajaya.
All institutions of higher learning in Malaysia (both public & private) are under the control of the MOHE. The public institutions of higher learning are called IPTA in Malay while their counterparts in the private sector are called IPTS.
As of December 2006, there are 11 private universities & 14 University Colleges in Malaysia together with 5 branch campuses of foreign universities such as (Monash University, Swinburne University, De Montfort University, University of Nottingham & Curtin University). There are 488 private colleges without the status of university in the country.
Department of Higher Education Management of the Ministry of Higher Education
The Department of Higher Education Management is one of the four departments/sectors under the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia which is in charge of the nation's higher educational institutions' affairs (both public and private).
Vision
Some of the functions of the Department are:
To draft, execute, monitor and evaluate policies, programmes and activities of the higher educational institutions towards higher educational excellence.
To develop the Institutions of Higher Learning (or IPT in Malay) management system to be efficient and innovative.
To plan and ensure that the establishment of higher educational institutions and the facilities of higher education are conducive and of quality standing with the best at international level.
To plan and coordinate the establishment of centres of excellence in IPT.
To develop the academic resources of IPT that possess high intelligence and professional skills in the respective fields.
To research, draft, update and enforce the Acts related to higher education.
To plan and coordinate the principles for encouraging the culture of research to strengthen activities in research, development and commercialisation through networking between IPT, industries and the government
To develop, monitor and control inspection of IPT's academic programmes to fulfil the needs of the workplace and international recognition.
To draft, coordinate and execute the principles for local and international student's intake into higher educational institutions.
To draft and coordinate the principles as well as strategically plan the personality development and welfare of the Malaysian students in the higher educational institutions in and outside of Malaysia to produce graduates who are holistic, in line with the aspiration of the country.
To plan, encourage and coordinate the activities for promoting higher education in and outside of the country through various strategic approaches.
To plan, execute and coordinate activities to promote higher education in and outside of the country to position Malaysia as the centre of educational excellence.
Sectors and Divisions under the Department of Higher Education Management
The Department of Higher Education Management is headed by the Director-General of Education and it consists of the following sectors, divisions and an administrative unit with individual roles to play to achieve the vision and mission of the Department. They are:
Industrial Relations Division
Student Welfare Management Division
Marketing and International Education Division
Academic Development Management Division
Public Higher Educational Institutions Governance Division
Student Intake Management Division
Registration and Standards Division
Enforcement and Inspectorate Division
Management Services Division
Contact Details:
Director-General
Department of Higher Education Management
Ministry of Higher Education Level 3, Block E9, Parcel E, Precinct 1
Federal Government Administrative Centre
62505 Putrajaya, Malaysia.
Tel : 03-88835901 Fax: 03-88894119
Background
The Department of Private Education of the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia or more popularly known as Jabatan Pendidikan Swasta (JPS) has now been renamed as the IPTS Management Sector, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia or also known as 'Sektor Pengurusan IPTS' in Malay. The move is to provide better focus towards better quality education from the private higher educational institutions (PHEIs).
Main Functions The IPTS Management Sector grants license for the establishment of private higher educational institutions (PHEIs) in Malaysia. It also conducts enforcement and supervision activities empowered under the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act, 1996 (Act 555), to ensure that all PHEIs conform to the rules and regulations stipulated under Act 555.
Their main functions are :
To monitor all aspects of establishment, registration and enforcement of private higher education operators offering tertiary education
To ensure that private education plays an important role in making tertiary education more accessible and affordable to all levels of society
To process applications for establishment and registration of private higher educational institutions (PHEIs)
To ensure smooth and effective flow in monitoring and enforcement system
To ensure that education being offered by PHEIs is of world-class quality and relevant to the nation's needs
To ensure that all administrative matters with regard to establishment and registration of PHEIs adhere to preset rules and regulations
To plan for research activities in support of the private education sector and promote educational activities
Objectives
To ensure that the policies, planning and directions of private higher education are in line with the National Education Philosophy
To ensure that the quality of infrastructure and education provided for by the PHEIs are of world-class, and relevant to the manpower needs of the nation
To ensure that PHEIs adhere to the provisions stipulated under the Act 555
To make education a viable industry
Organisation and Operation of the Sector
The IPTS Management Sector of the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia which is headed by the Deputy Director General of Education has two main divisions and one unit to perform their respective roles and functions to ensure successful running of the Sector. They are:
Registration and Standards Division
Enforcement and Inspectorate Division
Administration and Finance Unit
Roles of the Sector
The Sector executes its roles by virtue of the power accorded under the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act, 1996. The provisions of the Act cover the total operational aspects of the PHEIs.
Its roles are delineated as follows:
Setting of Policies and Directions of Private Education The Private Higher Educational Institutions Act, 1996 facilitates the establishment of private colleges, universities, university colleges and branch campuses of foreign universities in Malaysia . The Act provides the framework or scope for the development of PHEIs in the country.
As a result it leads to the establishment of private universities, university-colleges and foreign branch campuses as well as selected private colleges to conduct the foreign university's degree programmes entirely in Malaysia through collaborative arrangement (3+0 degree). The availability of degree programmes by private universities and 3+0 degree programmes by private colleges has provided students with new alternatives in getting a degree at affordable fee. Previously the students only had the options of either doing it at public universities or paying a hefty sum by going overseas.
Collaboration arrangements in addition to the ‘3+0' programme can also be in the form of ‘2+1'(i.e. 2 years in Malaysia and one year in overseas host-university), ‘2+2' (i.e. 2 years in Malaysia and 2 years in overseas host-university), ‘3+1' (i.e. 3 years in Malaysia and one year in overseas host-university), etc. Besides collaboration with overseas universities, there are also collaboration arrangements between PHEIs and the public universities for programmes leading to the award of certificate, diploma and bachelor's degree qualifications. These arrangements are also increasing yearly.
The expansion of PHEIs and its commitment to provide quality education will help to shape the future development of Malaysia. The IPTS Management Sector is entrusted with formulating plans and strategies for private tertiary education in meeting and addressing the global challenges ahead, while having a stable data and information system.
Ensuring Quality Private Higher Educational Institutions
The Private Higher Educational Institutions Act, 1996 empowers the IPTS Management Sector to ensure that operators of private higher education provide quality education. Any institution that fails to comply with rules and regulations stipulated under Act 555 will face legal action, including closure of its premise(s) and withdrawal of its operating license.
To ensure the provision of quality education, thus safeguarding the interest of the public, the IPTS Management Sector conducts the following activities:
general monitoring on a regular basis
regular monitoring based on a Code of Practices which include:
marketing and advertising of courses
total education fees structure
premises and educational infrastructure
registration with the local educational authority (State Education Department or Division Education Office or District Education Office)
new programmes/courses of studies
members of the Board of Governors and constitution of the institution
a registered Chief Executive Officer CEO
academic staff who are duly appointed and registered
For conducting a new course of study leading to the award of certificate, diploma or degree qualification either taught through full-time mode, part-time study or by way of distance learning, PHEIs are required to get the approval from the national quality assurance agency, i.e. the National Accreditation Board (Lembaga Akreditasi Negara, LAN)
(Note: LAN complements the roles of the Sector in quality assurance. For more information about the roles of LAN, kindly refer to Study In Malaysia Handbook 5th Ed,)
Evaluating & Approving the Establishment of PHEIs
Upon receiving an application for establishment of a IPTS from a would-be provider, the IPTS Management Sector will closely scrutinize and evaluate the application according to standard procedures. The evaluation is to ensure that the would-be provider is able to meet the criteria and requirements set under Act 555.
Upon satisfactory evaluation, the Sector will grant, with the consent from the Minister of Higher Education, the approval for establishment of the institution. Meanwhile, the would-be provider or PHEI also needs a positive recommendation from the National Accreditation Board (LAN) to conduct courses of study in order to obtain approval from the Minister of Higher Education.
Monitoring and Enforcing Legislations
There are provisions in the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act, 1996 which pertain to the quality of education offered by PHEIs. The legislative tool for monitoring and ensuring quality education being offered by PHEIs is: - Private Higher Education Institutions Act, 1996.
The main purpose for the provision of best quality education is to safeguard the interest of various parties including stake-holders, particularly students.
Providing Advisory Services
The IPTS Management Sector also provides advices to the general public which includes prospective students, parents and employers regarding status of courses of study and institutions among other things. The Sector also entertains enquiries from would-be providers regarding the procedures to establish a higher educational institution.
Data and Information Centre The IPTS Management Sector also regularly collects data and updates information about the private higher educational institutions. The Sector will also publish the information and private higher education statistics for the benefit of the public. This is done on a yearly basis.
Contact Details:
IPTS Management Sector
Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia Level 2, Block E9, Parcel E
Federal Government Administrative Centre
Precinct 1, 62505 Putrajaya , Malaysia
Tel: 603-8883 5826 Fax: 603-8889 3836
Website: www.mohe.gov.my
