Malaysian university autonomy is only ‘superficial’

Through a staggered approach, 17 of 20 public universities have received autonomous status. Yet, if one is to compare the autonomous status granted to Malaysian public universities by the government and the universal definition of autonomy, it is evident that the autonomy enjoyed by these universities is merely superficial, writes Dr Wan Chang Da for the Malay Mail Online.

For instance, the power to appoint leaders in public universities remains in the hands of the minister instead of the governing body of universities. Public universities, including those with autonomous status, are subjected strictly to the framework that is used to govern civil servants by the Public Service Department. Although in theory, public universities are Federal Statutory Bodies and the staff are not civil servants, lecturers still have to follow the same pay scale as civil servants and universities do not have the autonomy to hire and fire staff. Likewise, public universities have to adhere to the procurement and financial procedures of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.

More troubling, in recent months, staff of public universities have to seek permission from not only the vice-chancellor, but also the chairman of the board of directors of the university as well as the chief secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, before they can travel abroad to attend conferences or present a paper.
Full report on the Malay Mail Online site