Conventional varsities slowly becoming obscure, says Zambry

Higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said students could spend three years in university and three years in industry in the future. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir predicts that there will be a shift where conventional universities will fade into obscurity as industry-focused education takes centre stage.

He said it is important to tailor programmes and curricula to meet national needs and industry demands.

“For instance, students could spend three years in university and three years in industry,” he said at a forum on fostering a talent-driven economy here today.

“Currently, we are proposing a four-year programme entirely based in the industry.”

Noting the importance of flexible training and teaching methods, Zambry believes the term “university” will eventually be replaced by “multiversity” as the education sector evolves.

In a “multiversity”, he said, students can choose courses from different institutions, reflecting a trend towards diverse and specialised education.

“Different universities or faculties will offer specialised areas of study,” he said.

“Students will be able to pick and choose their courses, and we must be prepared for this change.”

On Feb 4, Zambry said vice-chancellors at higher education institutions must assess industry demands and labour market needs to ensure graduates are equipped for high-demand sectors.

He said the current lack of skilled workers is because of a mismatch driven by industry advancements, particularly in response to complexities arising after the Covid-19 pandemic.