Published: Thursday September 20, 2012 MYT 5:46:00 PM
Updated: Thursday September 20, 2012 MYT 9:04:21 PM
Govt tightens rules on IPTS' use of 'international'
KUANTAN: The Higher Education Ministry is tightening regulations on the use of the word "international" on the names of private institutions of higher learning (IPTS) to ensure quality and high standards.
Deputy minister Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung said IPTS using the word "international" have a responsibility to offer programmes of quality and comply with international standards, in line with turning Malaysia into a regional hub of educational excellence.
"It also includes offering a campus with the characteristics which reflect an IPTS with an international status, with administrative blocks, faculties, lecture rooms, main hall and so on," he told reporters after opening a function of the ministry with the South Zone IPTS, here Thursday.
He said, furthermore, the IPTS in question must have a field and covered hall for sports and leisure, other than places for students to gather and hold discussions.
He said the ministry was also studying the legal implications of withdrawing the word "international" from IPTS which were still operating at shophouses.
"Before they were set up, all the IPTS had given their written commitment that the shophouses were only temporary. Unfortunately, some are still operating at shophouses after 15 years," he said.
He said, based on monitoring by the ministry, there were 48 IPTS nationwide which were still operating from shophouses.
He said, to date, 109 IPTS nationwide were using the word international on their respective names. - Bernama