Budget 2025: Advancing Malaysia’s Higher Education And Research

As anticipation builds for the national Budget 2025, which will be tabled in Parliament on Oct 18, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia has presented its vision, prioritising an ambitious agenda for advancing higher education, research, and innovation in the nation. Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi, Provost and Chief Executive Officer of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia said that while Budget 2024's allocation of RM16.3 billion for higher education is a commendable increase from the previous year's RM15.3 billion, there remains potential for further improvement given the current global economic landscape. Mushtak, who is also the Chairman of the Vice Chancellors Council for Private Universities (VCCPU), noted that the Budget 2025 must reflect a substantial commitment to higher education, supporting Malaysia's transition to a high-income economy through sustainable and digital development. 'Such investment creates a positive cycle of economic benefits by enhancing human capital, driving productivity and competitivenes s, attracting foreign investments, supporting economic diversification, and promoting social equity, collectively contributing to robust and sustainable growth in Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product GDP). 'Also, a well-funded higher education system is essential to achieving the nation's goal of establishing Malaysia as a globally recognised educational hub. This will help us attract more international students and compete effectively on the global stage,' he said in a statement today. Furthermore, Mushtak proposed several strategic imperatives to strengthen the country's higher education Source: BERNAMA News Agency