The programme probes institutional and academic autonomy in the public and private sectors of higher education in Malaysia. The exploration commences with a general overview of the concept of autonomy, its origins and modifications especially in the context of national interests and proceeds to examine how local policies and law impose on academic autonomy. Participants will analyse structural restrictions that impinge on the concept and in the case of private institutions, the impact of commercialization on acdemic autonomy.

Practical issues arising from the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996 and Malaysian Qualifications Agency guidelines on programme approval and institutional audits will also be discussed.