AUKU HAS BEEN AMENDED TO ALLOW FOR GREATER UNIVERSITY AUTONOMY

At last university autonomy in Malaysia shall be made possible with the recent passing of the AUKU (Amendment) Bill 2008 and university/ college students can contribute more towards nation building.

"Autonomy concept can help universities be flexible in making decisions that can help enhance progress and keep pace with the increasingly competitive international university sector." according to USM VC


# Dewan Rakyat passes amendments to AUKU

# Consider autonomy for universities seriously: USM VC


Dewan Rakyat passes amendments to AUKU
sun2surf
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 11, 2008): The Dewan Rakyat today passed the Universities and University Colleges (Amendment) Bill 2008 to improve and expand the autonomy of universities.

Under the bill, several powers held by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and minister will be transferred to the university authorities which, among others, comprised the Board of Directors, Senate and Vice-Chancellors of the universities.

The bill also emphasised on the internal and external openness, transparency and accountability of the administration of each university.

It also allows the student to be an affiliate or member of an organisation or union whether within or outside the country.

The bill also empowers the chancellor to revoke the degree of any graduate for involvement in any scandal.

When winding up the debate earlier, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the amendment to the act was made based on educational considerations and principles and not for political purposes.

Consider autonomy for universities seriously: USM VC
Bernama
PENANG (Dec 12, 2008): The concept of autonomy for universities must be given due consideration so that universities can fulfill their individual missions, diversify and meet the changing needs without interference from governments.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) vice chancellor Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak said the autonomy concept can help universities be flexible in making decisions that can help enhance progress and keep pace with the increasingly competitive international university sector.

However, the concept must go through an in-depth study before being implemented as local universities operate in an increasingly legislated and regulated environment, requiring an unprecedented level of reporting to the government, he said.

"The autonomy concept may have pros and cons, depending on the implementation process," he told reporters after opening the 2008 Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL) conference here today.

Dzulkifli, who is also ASAIHL president, said the Malaysian government was looking into ways to adopt a more flexible approach towards higher learning by making a number of amendments to the Universities and College Universities Act.

The two-day conference themed "University Autonomy: Interpretation and Variation" would be attended by 100 participants from 15 countries.

Dzulkifli said during the conference, there would be discussions on the aspect of autonomy for universities in various context and variation, to provide an impetus for universities to move forward with new innovative ideas.

Apart from discussions, participants can also exchange ideas and information to expedite changes in their respective universities aimed at churning out students who excel in their respective field.

He added that ASAIHL had also introduced a Young Scientist Award to identify and honour young scientists in the region and would be held at USM tomorrow.

ASAIHL, formed in 1956, is one of the oldest education based institution and has membership comprising 168 universities from Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and USA.