Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi emphasized the need for greater autonomy in university operations, coupled with measurable accountability, during the closing remarks at the 2026 Malay Education Convention in Kuala Lumpur. He called for a new legal framework for higher education that balances institutional flexibility with performance oversight in areas such as learning quality, graduate outcomes, and research impact.
Dr Ahmad Zahid highlighted ongoing efforts to replace the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU), which was recently repealed. He said the focus has shifted to developing new governance legislation that better aligns with the evolving needs of higher education institutions. Central to this process is defining how universities can maintain operational independence while being held accountable for their contributions to education and society.
The Deputy Prime Minister underscored the importance of increased student participation in university decision-making. He encouraged a move away from traditional forms of student activism, such as rallies or street demonstrations, toward more constructive engagement emphasizing intellectual and professional growth. “Students need platforms to contribute ideas and develop broader mindsets without being restricted,” he said.
Regarding educational success, Dr Ahmad Zahid argued against using enrollment numbers or qualifications alone as metrics. Instead, he highlighted the proposed Education Mobility Index, which aims to assess a range of factors including students’ socioeconomic backgrounds, academic achievements, career pathways, employment outcomes, skills alignment, and income progression. He urged universities with mandates to serve Bumiputra students to pursue an 80% graduate employment rate in relevant fields.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) was spotlighted as a key driver of social mobility. Citing a 95.9% average graduate employability rate in 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister noted government and private sector efforts to raise TVET graduates’ starting salaries to RM3,500 per month. He stressed that while certificates can provide access to opportunities, sustained progress depends on skills, productivity, and added value.
Dr Ahmad Zahid also urged a shift in Malaysia’s research and innovation landscape—from producing knowledge workers to fostering knowledge owners, including technology entrepreneurs and patent holders. Success in research, he said, should be measured by outputs such as commercial patents, licensing deals, spin-off companies, and practical industrial solutions.