Kuala lumpur: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) has announced its readiness to provide both academic and legal expertise in the formation of a new comprehensive legislative framework, the One Higher Education Act, which is set to replace the existing Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (Act 30) (AUKU).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, UKM's vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Sufian Jusoh, expressed the university's support for the Ministry of Higher Education's commitment to this new initiative. He emphasized UKM's eagerness to be a leading contributor in the inclusive consultation process, engaging multiple stakeholders such as university leadership, academics, industry partners, and students. Sufian highlighted the importance of involving various parties to ensure that the new legal framework aligns with the current needs and diversity of Malaysia's national higher education system.
Sufian further noted that the reform aligns with the UKM TEKAD 57 Strategic Plan for 2026-2030, guiding the university in preparing Malaysia for its 100th year of Independence by 2057. He remarked that the legislative reform is crucial for strengthening institutional autonomy, governance flexibility, and empowering ethical academic freedom and student leadership participation within the university ecosystem. UKM aims to ensure the legal transition spurs the development of human capital grounded in knowledge, values, and innovation, ultimately driving Malaysia's higher education to international success.
Moreover, UKM's top management and academic community are confident that integrating the One Higher Education Act with the aspirations of TEKAD 57 will reinforce institutional autonomy while maintaining accountability, good governance, and high-impact research excellence globally.
This development follows Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement of the impending abolition of AUKU to enhance freedom and democratic space for the student movement. The matter is set to be discussed in the Cabinet on Wednesday. Additionally, Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir outlined that a more comprehensive legal framework to replace AUKU has been detailed in the Malaysia Higher Education Plan (RPTM) 2026-2035.