Government halts new university and college applications for the next two years

• Malaysia has more than 500 IPTS, enough to meet current demand
• Branch campuses of high-ranking universities to be spared from two-year moratorium

The Higher Education Ministry announced that a two-year moratorium on new private universities, university colleges and colleges will come into effect 1 February, Friday.

This is in response to the rising number of higher education institutions.  According to the Star, Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that there were enough institutions in the country to serve the current demand.

As of November 30 last year, there are 37 private universities, 20 private college universities, 7 international branch campuses and 414 private colleges offering certificates and diplomas in various fields.

Institutions that are currently having their applications processed, existing institutions that are set to be upgraded and branch campuses of high-ranking foreign universities will not be affected by this two-year moratorium.