SEPANG, July 23 — Artificial intelligence (AI) will not eliminate the role of universities but will fundamentally redefine their purpose, requiring higher education institutions to produce graduates who can create opportunities, drive innovation and shape the nation’s future, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said.
Delivering the keynote address at the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) Presidents’ Forum for Universities 2026 on Thursday, Zambry said rapid changes in technology, employment and learning demand that universities move beyond producing job-ready graduates to nurturing individuals with wisdom, adaptability, ethical leadership and a commitment to lifelong learning.
He said these priorities are outlined in the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint (RPTM) 2026–2035, which seeks to prepare graduates for an increasingly dynamic and technology-driven world.
“AI can generate information, but it cannot replace wisdom. AI can process data, but it cannot replace judgment. AI can automate decisions, but it cannot replace values,” he said.
Zambry stressed that the future success of universities should no longer be measured solely by graduate employability, but by their ability to solve complex problems, lead communities, create opportunities for others and contribute meaningfully to national development.
He also described quality assurance as a strategic national asset, saying trust in Malaysia’s higher education system is essential to strengthening qualification recognition, student mobility and international confidence in the country as a preferred higher education destination.
The minister added that Malaysia would continue to play an active role in strengthening ASEAN higher education cooperation through knowledge sharing, mutual recognition of qualifications, cross-border research and collaborative leadership to build a more resilient and future-ready regional education ecosystem.
The inaugural forum, organised by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), brought together university leaders, quality assurance agencies, policymakers and industry representatives from across ASEAN to discuss graduate employability, digital transformation, innovation and lifelong learning as key priorities for the region’s higher education sector.
Also present were Higher Education Department Director-General Datuk Prof Dr Azlinda Azman, MQA Council chairman Prof Emeritus Datuk Seri Ir Dr Zaini Ujang, and MQA Chief Executive Officer Datuk Prof Dr Mohammad Shatar Sabran.
— MINUTESMY
