247field, including key areas or topics of inquiry. Due to the unsystematic and not
up- to- date national databank on research (only a list), the authors admit and are
cautious of the fact that there may be other research on higher education topics,
particularly on institutional research, that have been or are being funded by indi-
vidual institutions. Following the brief review of postgraduate programmes and
research documents, important higher education policy documents and the authors’
reflective analysis as scholars in higher education, this chapter then outlines the
evolution of the field, issues and trends observed, as well as the initiatives taken to
strengthen higher education as a field in Malaysia.
This chapter begins with a general introduction to some salient features of the
evolution and current state of higher education as a field of study in Malaysia. It
reviews the emerging nature of higher education as a field of study, and the political
and social forces that have shaped and contributed to its development. An overview
of the status of higher education training and research that is taking place follows,
highlighting certain characteristics, issues and trends that would enhance under-
standing of both the present stage of development and the line of progress expected
to emerge in the future.
Evolution of the Field
Interest in the field of higher education in Malaysia upsurged in response to the
rapid growth of higher education following several reforms in the higher education
system introducing regulatory and supervisory frameworks for both public and pri-
vate higher education in 1996. In addition, a continuum from primary to tertiary
education had also been made explicit in terms of policy connection. Since the late
1990s, the Malaysian higher education system has gone through the following
major developments: expansion of the higher education system, expansion of enrol-
ment, emergence of private higher education, restructuring of curriculum and pro-
grammes, development of community colleges, reform of governance and
administrative systems, diversification of higher education institutions and quality
assurance mechanisms (Azman et al. 2011 , 2014 ). Interest in higher education
research and studies grew with the changing landscape and the changing context of
higher education.
Higher education needs to be studied by scholars and practitioners to inform
theoretical foundations, long-term development and strategic plans and manage-
ment strategies to implement comprehensive reforms of universities and colleges.
This became particularly compelling after the NSHEP in 2007 with its accompany-
ing action plans; both scholars and competent academic leaders were much needed
to administer and manage the higher education sector. The Higher Education
Leadership Academy (AKePT), established by the Ministry of Higher Education,
also included a research arm mandated to carry out research into higher education
leadership and governance, including teaching and learning. This resonates with
Altbach’s ( 2001 , 2014 ) assertion of an increasing interest in higher education, and
14 Higher Education as a Field of Study in Malaysia: Towards an Epistemic...