UM Welcomes Proposal To Abolish AUKU, Supports New Higher Education Framework

KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Malaya (UM) welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement regarding the proposal to abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU), as well as the Ministry of Higher Education’s (KPT) efforts to develop a new, more comprehensive legal framework for the country’s higher education sector.

UM Vice-Chancellor, Datuk Seri Prof Ir Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman said the reform is important to ensure that higher education institutions continue to be respected, trusted and capable of producing a generation that is esteemed at the national and global levels.

According to UM, the step is in line with the agenda outlined through the Malaysia Higher Education Plan (RPTM) 2026–2035 through the formation of a One Higher Education Act, which aims to ensure that the higher education legal framework remains relevant to the changing current landscape.

The university is of the view that the reform is able to strengthen institutional autonomy, academic freedom, student voice, governance and university accountability.

In its statement, UM also expressed its readiness to cooperate and contribute views and expertise to KPT and all stakeholders in the engagement process for developing the new legal framework.

According to the university, any reform must be implemented comprehensively and not only focus on certain aspects, but instead take into account the entire higher education ecosystem as well as the role of universities in the development of students, society and the nation.

UM stressed that the main objective of the reform is to produce students and society who are knowledgeable, mature in thinking, responsible in action and able to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Astro Awani