Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan

Datuk Dr. Zulkefli A. HassanEDUCATION as a tool is the only resource that provides a levelplaying field. It ensures one’s ability to compete in an arena whichis not clouded by economics, race, colour, creed or gender. That is thestrength of education, once acquired.Dynamic changes in higher education worldwide, alongside Malaysia’s transitionfrom a product-based to a knowledge-based economy, necessitate a drastictransformation in the country’s higher education institutions (HEIs), whetherprivate or public.The Government has placed great priority and much investment in ensuring Malaysiafulfils its aspirations as an international hubfor educational excellence.The 2007 National Higher EducationStrategic Plan is focused on transformingour HEIs into world-class institutions.That would be a significant milestone forthe country. The plan demands great synergyfrom among the major players in the highereducation “ecosystem” - universities,university colleges, polytechnics, communitycolleges and, indeed, the ministry itself,with all its agencies. Tightly bound to thecountry’s National Mission (2006), our HEIswill play a pivotal role in responding to theneeds spelt out in the plan, which sets outseven strategic thrusts.The five criticaloutcomes of this plan aregovernance, leadership,academia, teaching andlearning, and research anddevelopment. In short, theplan calls for a rejuvenatedand transformed highereducation system.They include widening access and increasing equity, improving the quality of teachingand learning, enhancing research and innovation, strengthening HEIs, intensifyinginternationalisation, enshrining lifelong learning, and reinforcing the delivery systemsof the Higher Education Ministry. This plan is to be delivered in four stages from2007 until 2020 and beyond.The five critical outcomes of this plan are governance, leadership, academia,teaching and learning, and research and development. In short, the plan calls for arejuvenated and transformed higher education system. At the core of successfulhigher education is enhancement of the quality of our human capital.The final outcome must be nothing short of a first-class mentality, which the countryneeds to remain relevant and competitive globally. One key area for improvementis ensuring sufficient funds are available to those in need, and appropriate funding105