AUKU Repeal To Pave Way For New Higher Education Law

KEPALA BATAS, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- The repeal of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU) is not solely focused on students, as the government is also reviewing the entire higher education legal framework before introducing a new Act as its replacement.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the review was necessary as AUKU is the main legislation governing not only student-related matters but also the establishment and operations of universities, governance, academic affairs and administration.

“AUKU currently has 44 sections covering aspects such as university establishment, governance, academic matters, academics, administrators and other areas, with only seven sections related to students

“In the context of students, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has emphasised that we need to examine aspects that have become constraints,” he told reporters after opening the Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Cancer Centre (PKTAAB) at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) here today.

Zambry said the review would take into account the freedom and rights of academics, challenges faced by them, as well as the needs of administrators, students, institutions and other laws related to the country’s higher education system.

He said the new Act must serve as the main legal framework covering the entire higher education ecosystem, addressing both present and future needs.

The minister said the independent committee announced earlier would allow various views to be considered during the review process, in line with the government’s commitment to listen to all parties before finalising the new legal framework.

Last Sunday, Zambry said a more comprehensive higher education legal framework to replace AUKU had been outlined under the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint (RPTM) 2026-2035, as part of the agenda to establish the One Higher Education Act launched in January.

Previously, Anwar said the government would repeal AUKU to provide greater freedom and democratic space for students, after considering memorandums and views submitted by student leaders seeking comprehensive changes to the Act.

– BERNAMA