Pedagogical sciences/ 4. Strategic directions

of reforming the education system

 

Tuyakova B., Kundyzbayeva N.

 

M.Utemisov West Kazakhstan State University, Kazakhstan,

S.Seifullin Kazakh Agro Technical University, Kazakhstan,

 

Characteristics of Higher Education System in Malaysia

 

The system of higher education in the world is currently undergoing major modification; these changes include changes in the structure of higher education, changes in the interaction, cooperation with international universities. For Kazakhstan's education system is of special importance its participation in regional integration and the processes occurring in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and, more broadly - on the scale of Southeast Asia. Both the integration process - within the CIS and South-East Asia. Thus, in both cases as one of the main objectives of the integration problem is formulated to create a general educational space uniting the comparability of educational standards and qualifications, maintaining a high quality of education, extension mobility, and simplicity of procedures of recognition. One of the most attractive countries for Kazakhstan students is Malaysia.

        Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy in Southeast Asia. It consists of thirteen states and three federal territories and has a total landmass of 329,847 square kilometers separated by the South China Sea into two similarly sized regions, Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. Malaysia is unique in its specificity. It has incorporated the features of different cultures, and yet preserved the culture, identity, national traditions and customs.

Despite the fact that Kazakhstan and Malaysia have different histories, traditions and cultural heritage they share the desire to join the world community education, and improve the competitiveness of students and lecturers.

Higher education in Malaysia is currently undergoing significant changes; it is connected with the objectives pursued by the Ministry of Education Malaysia (Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi). Below are the percentages of government expenditure on education (Table 1).

Number of Malaysian students in public universities (2011)  was  663.597 people, the number of students enrolled in community colleges 6,394, in private higher education institutions - 428,973, and the number of teaching staff about 67 136  people for 2010-11 [1].

 

Percentage (%)

 

2009

2010

2011

2012

Educational Expenditure to Government Expenditure

15.12

15.90

16.70

16.00

Educational Expenditure to GNP

4,06

4,30

4,40

4,50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 1. Percentage of Actual Total Educational Expenditure Against Total Government Expenditure and Gross National Product (GNP) in Current Price (2009-2012).

 

System of Higher Education of Malaysia is governed by the Education Act 1996. Thus includes a system of pre-university education in the national education system, which a pre-school, primary and secondary education, and higher education. The Malaysian government has developed "Strategic Plan for Higher Education: Laying the Foundation Beyond 2020", which is designed to improve the education system.

The plan was formulated to meet the nation's human resource capital needs and transform higher education in order to make Malaysia as an international hub of higher educational excellence. The transformation is divided into four distinct phases:

Phase 1: Laying the Foundation (2007-2010)

Phase 2: Strengthening and Enhancement (2011-2015)

Phase 3: Excellence (2016-2020)

Phase 4: Glory and Sustainability (beyond 2020)

This strategic plan is designed to be broad and comprehensive and focuses on seven strategic thrusts:

·       Widening access and enhancing equity;

·       Improving the quality of teaching and learning;

·       Enhancing research and innovation;

·       Strengthening institutions of higher education;

·       Intensifying internationalisation;

·       Enculturation of lifelong learning;

·       Reinforcing the Higher Education Ministry's delivery system [2].

Higher education is heavily subsidized by the government. A necessary condition for admission to the university is through STPM or matriculation certificate. Students who wish to obtain a degree from a foreign university have the option of enrolling at a branch campus of foreign universities in Malaysia. Several foreign universities have set up campuses in Malaysian follow:

·     Monash University, Australia;

·     The University of Nottingham, United Kingdom;

·     SAE Institute, Australia;

·     Swinburne University of Technology, Australia;

·     Curtin University of Technology, Australia;

·     Raffles Design Institute, Singapore.

      All higher education institutions in Malaysia can be grouped into two main categories:

·     Public higher education institutions (government-funded) (state universities, polytechnics, colleges)

·     Private higher education institutions (universities, colleges, foreign branches).

    Public and private universities of Malaysia are offer in the following programs:

          Foundation (1 year). Foundation involves the purposeful preparation for the chosen specialty, provides students with the basic knowledge and information necessary to teach in universities, improves language skills of students to the level required for university studies, and develops intellectual abilities and communication skills.

Diploma. Secondary special education program with the possibility of learning to Degree program. Diploma program is a two or three year program. Thus is similar to Kazakhstan vocational education. Graduates are easily employed. After graduated with a diploma, a student can continue education in a degree program locally or overseas (England, USA, Australia).

Twinning program is a fairly common program in Malaysia. Many Malaysian universities offer their students the opportunity to study the program in renowned English, Australian or American universities, without leaving Malaysia.

Masters.  Postgraduate education program, allowing deeper specialization in a specific professional purpose is designed for at least 1 year.

          PhD program involves:

1)  By research which taken 3 year to complete;

2)  By coursework and research which has taken 3 to 4 years to complete.

         Based on the Malaysian experience Kazakhstan would follow the Malaysian model be center of the appealing nature of the world in the follow ways:

·     The presence of a preparatory course (Foundation), allowing us to obtain the necessary knowledge and skills for teaching in high school,  as well as the opportunity to improve their language skills;

·     Twinning-transfer Program a program that allows students to get education abroad without having to travel out of their country;

·     A wide network of branches of leading foreign universities in Europe, America, Australia and New Zealand;

·     Double degree - double degree programs offer students to attend a quality education available from the leading foreign universities. Students who successfully complete the program will receive two diplomas, one from the University of Malaysia and one from a foreign university.

         One of the private universities of Malaysia is UNITAR International University, leading the largest university of the country. UNITAR International University was established in 1997, and represents as one of the first Private Higher Educational Institutions in the country. University collaborates with numerous independent regional centers across the country with a population of more than 9,000 students in 60 training programs. UNITAR has 6 faculties such as, the Faculty of Business and Information Technology (FBIT), Faculty of hospitality and tourism management, Faculty of early childhood studies, Asia graduate school of business, School of foundation and general studies, Faculty of education and social sciences. It also has 9 regional centers in Penang, Sarawak, Sabah, Malacca, Perak, Johor, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, and Selangor. The academic year consists of 3 semesters, the first semester from 4 February - 17 May (14 weeks) the second semester from 24 June - 18 August (8 weeks) and third semester 16 September - 29 December (14 weeks).

         Every foreign student who wants to learn in UNITAR is encouraged to apply and register online. Successful candidates will be notified after all processes have been completed. By enrolling each student is assigned a unique individual identification code (ID) which will give access to the UNITAR local network site. This will also give access to the library’s electronic catalog and enables lecturers to track his/her academic performance on this code.

              Since the beginning of September 2013 the UNITAR had the opportunity to move into a spacious new campus, located in Kelana Jaya, Selangor, where the conditions for lecturers and students have significantly improved. All classrooms are equipped with all the necessary technical equipment video projectors, personal computers, as well as the entire campus is covered with Wi-Fi, faculties and other departments of the university located in fairly comfortable offices with all the necessary technical equipment and security products.

              In his teaching and educational activity a lecturer of a subject is guided by a UNITAR Private Higher Education Institute (PHEI) Act and the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA) Act and plan, which consists of the main provisions needed for the study of the students. Course plans posted on the website of the UNITAR (local network UNIEC Virtual), which introduces students to the course content, as well as to ask clarifying questions of the lecturers. Also, students can view their class schedules; exam grades other personal information [3].

          Scientific activity is regulated by the teacher's annual scientific plan, which shows the areas of research, study, development and testing of research results, as well as their subsequent publication in scientific journals. At the end of a program (undergraduate) there is an internship (for at least 3 month) for students to be placed in schools or in industry, social organizations.

         In UNITAR educational activities are carried out in the following areas:

1. Sports and recreation (Taekwondo Club, UNITAR Adventure and Recreational Club (URAC);

2. Religious orientation (Persatuan Mahasiswa Islam (PERMAI), Persatuan Mahasiswa India (PMI), UNITAR Chinese Student Association (UCSA);

3. Hobby groups (KARISMA Club, Borneo Student Society (BSS), Consumer Club, Toastmaster Club, Shutter Club (Photography Club, International Student Association, KEMSIS (Kelab Media Siswa) [4].

University also has Counseling & Assistantship Unit, for Student Affairs Department, aimed at providing psychological support to students, conducting individual and group counseling, in order to solve various problems associated with academic performance, socialization of the students, and their interaction with each other:

·     Conduct individual counseling & group counseling sessions;

·     Organize and give talks and workshops;

·     Organize and manage orientation programs for new students;

·     Administer scholarship of UNITAR students;

·     Conduct psychological test (i.e. personality test, career test) for students.

UNITAR operates an extensive library with direct access to all the literature on the website of the university. Through the online catalog one can find any book on many areas or fields of study.

         UNITAR also creates conclusive learning conditions for its schedules. Students from near and far are recommended in good and conducive hostels around the campus building. Students are transported by buses from hostels to and from campus daily. All foreign students must be registered in the International Student Association, where they help students organize educational trips to the beautiful sights of Malaysia, holds weekly meeting and evening explores foreign cultures and customs.

        Based on the above information on the activities of the UNITAR one can define the main directions for improving Kazakhstan system of higher education in the follow aspects:

·     Document between the departments of the university is carried out by a local area network;

·     The possibility of gaining admission online;

·     Direct access to the training materials (syllabus, schedule);

·     Direct access to the electronic database of the library;

·     Provision of bus students living in remote areas;

·     Wi-Fi throughout the university;

·     Assigning each student ID that simplifies the job of tracking their academic progress.

          Thus, as we see the system of higher education in Malaysia is up to date, according to the evolving demands of the 21st century, seeking more and more to improve its system by introducing new technologies, collaborating with leading foreign universities. Our Kazakhstan model of higher education by adopting the best Malaysia can compete with other universities in the world educational space.

 

 

 

References

1.   Malaysia Educational Statistics, Quick facts 2012. Educational Planning and Research Division, Ministry of education Malaysia.2012;  http://emisportal.moe.gov.my/

2.   "Strategic Plan for Higher Education: Laying the Foundation Beyond 2020". http://www.moe.gov.my/

3.   Malaysian Qualifications Act 2007 (Act 79). http://www.mqa.gov.my/     

4.   http://www.unitar.my/