Public universities could increase fees for international students

The move to make public higher institutions income generators is in the pipeline. A source from the Education Ministry said that they plan to create a sustainable university concept to keep up with the rising cost of higher education.

Highlighted in the coming 11th Malaysia Education Development Plan, the move to make public varsities financially independent was necessary to be able to offer more scholarship programmes. In the plan, public varsities and colleges will start earning income through a variety of means.

According to Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, the plan will not stop government's financial support to the universities. It simply means the pie for available funds will be bigger. This independence would be a catalyst for these institutions to become more innovative and competitive.

To date, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Utara Malaysia, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia have been given autonomous status that allows them to manage their own academic, administrative, and financial matters.