Universities Must Be Centres of Excellence, Not “Certificate Factories,” : PM Anwar

Kuala Lumpur, April 28: Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged higher education institutions to maintain academic excellence and avoid becoming “certificate factories,” stressing the need for a balanced education system grounded in knowledge, technology, and human values.

Speaking at the “Temu Anwar” programme and the launch of a new building project at UCSI University, Anwar said universities must produce not only knowledgeable graduates but also individuals with strong ethics, character, and identity.

“If universities do not move towards excellence, they will become dull and merely factories producing certificates, lacking quality and ultimately affecting future generations,” he said.

Anwar emphasized that education reform must align with the broader vision of Malaysia MADANI, which promotes a balance between academic achievement and moral values.

He also highlighted the rapid growth of technology such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, and data centers, noting that these developments present major opportunities for Malaysia. However, he cautioned that technological progress must not come at the expense of human development and values.

The Prime Minister further noted that Malaysia has become one of the leading destinations for international students, with around 160,000 foreign students currently enrolled in both public and private universities. He said this is among the highest figures in the ASEAN region and reflects global confidence in Malaysia’s education system.