Managing autonomous status

THE public universities autonomous programme was introduced in 2012 under the National Higher Education Strategic Plan in a paradigm shift towards more effective tertiary education management.

The delegation of power between the universities and other central agencies was conducted in stages.

In his New Year’s speech in 2012, then Higher Education Minister Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin announced that the five oldest public universities in the country, would be granted autonomous status to self-govern, manage finances and generate sources of income.

They can manage their resources including hiring and firing staff, and have full control over the academic management of the institution including student intakes, provided that the universities succeeded in meeting the mark after an audit as set by the Code of University Good Governance and University Good Governance Index.

Siti Hamisah said the autonomous status improves competitiveness and performance of public universities by giving them more flexibility in decision-making and to devise and implement their own strategies without government over-regulation, political interference and micromanagement.

“It is very much the university’s prerogative privilege to engage in any strategic decision-making process including engagement in entrepreneurial activities, adapting to changing external demands, attracting and retaining quality staff, and creating incentives for developing research strategies and portfolios.

“This status will also bring back and expand the university’s traditional functions of teaching, research, scholarship and innovation to meet the wide-ranging needs of globally connected knowledge societies.”

The best university, according to international standards, is one which benefits local and international communities in a sustainable way.

SITI HAMISAH TAPSIR

in accomplishing greater success.”

Another KPI assesses the rates of graduate employability where 80 per cent have to be employed within one year upon graduation.

Public universities are expected to contribute significantly to the country’s aim to become a high-income economy by producing highly competent graduates and commercialising research output.

“The ministry promotes the role of academicians in pushing the frontiers of knowledge as well as creating new value and contributing to economic growth. With autonomy, we expect the universities to respond to societal expectations which is not only crucial to the new era of higher education ecosystems but also to the achievement of educational excellence, innovation and internationalisation in the technology convergence era.

“The best university, according to international standards, is one which benefits local and international communities in a sustainable way.”