New Approach Needed To Elevate Polytechnics, Community Colleges - Zambry

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- A new approach must be formulated to ensure polytechnics and community colleges (POLYCC) develop in tandem with universities and are no longer regarded as second-tier education institutions, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has emphasised the need to rethink education at the polytechnic and community college levels, noting that discussions on higher education have long been focused solely on universities.

“The time has come for us to also give attention to how we want polytechnics and community colleges to develop alongside our higher education system, meaning that education at the polytechnic level can no longer be regarded as second-class education,” he said during his New Year's address to ministry staff here today.

According to him, his ministry would place greater emphasis on the development of polytechnics and community colleges as part of the agenda to strengthen the nation’s higher education sector.

At the same time, public university governance must be strengthened to be more agile and aligned with government policies and circulars, particularly those issued by the Finance Ministry, he said.

Zambry expressed hope that, in terms of performance, existing circulars would be reviewed, stressing that circulars issued to universities, whether by the Finance Ministry or other authorities, must be implemented once directives are given.

“If we say that universities have the right to choose which circulars to apply, that is not the case. We must comply with what is directed because universities are statutory bodies and are subject to such instructions,” he said.

On the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint (RPTM) 2026-2035, which was introduced today, he said it is the main strategic document to drive the country’s higher education direction for the next 10 years, while marking a significant milestone as, for the first time, it was jointly developed by local experts involving more than 8,000 stakeholders from various sectors.

“This approach differs from previous practices that relied on external consultants with high costs and the RPTM will also serve as a ‘living document’, meaning it is flexible and can be adapted to current changes without compromising its main objectives,” he said.

The government launched the National Education Blueprint (RPN) 2026-2035 today, which is a national strategic education plan that encompasses the entire education ecosystem, from schools to higher education institutions.

The RPN is jointly led by the Ministry of Higher Education through RPTM, and the Ministry of Education through the Malaysian Education Plan (RPM) 2026-2035.

The integrated implementation of the RPTM 2026-2035 and the RPM 2026-2035 under the RPN 2026-2035 reflects the comprehensive and phased alignment of national education policies to ensure the continuity of human capital development from the school level to higher education.

-- BERNAMA