108 Mukherjee, Singh, Fernandez-Chung and Marimuthu
Critical Mass of Researchers
While financing for research and research facilities has seen a healthy
injection of funds over the last few years, there would be merit in developing
a critical mass of individuals and institutions which include HEIs, industry,
technoparks and other institutes, local and international, working together
on common objectives. High-level scholars and researchers are limited in
number. To propel research and innovation forward, awareness of others
working in similar areas and the resultant knowledge would increase the
potential for innovation and societal change.
Prizing Autonomy
Well-performing private HEIs owe much of their success to institutional
autonomy which allows for nimble and innovative responses to the market.
A number of HEIs has been established by government-linked companies
or where a significant share of ownership belongs to national investment
arms. There is concern that these HEIs could become multi-layered
bureaucratic organizations. Such organizations contrast with those led by
private sector “edu-preneurs” (a distinct characteristic of the Malaysian
private higher education sector) who are experienced in dealing with
the market, husbanding and accounting for financial resources; tackling
disruptive global challenges characterized by accelerating technological
changes; making innovative decisions independently without concerns
about a hierarchical chain of command; and effectively guiding their
institutions towards achieving internal and external efficiencies.
Using Meritocracy to Increase Quality
Policymakers would do well to review the existing policies regarding
student admissions in a bid to shift competition further down the education
system. Admission into universities needs to be more competitive with
the process of selection more transparent. The use of three entry routes
inherently limits the quality of students unless admission is determined
by being based on equivalent assessment criteria. By providing equal
opportunities for access to public HEIs, the system would increase the
competition which characterizes a vibrant and qualitatively strong higher
education system. Besides, fostering interaction among ethnic groups at