Spheres of Influence: Ventures and Visions in Educational Development*

3-6 July, 2002
The University of Western Australia
Perth, Western Australia

Abstract

Governmental intervention and visions for educational development: The Malaysian experience

A. A. Rahmån, Northern University of Malaysia, Malaysia

A. Faiz A. Hamid, Northern University of Malaysia, Malaysia

Government intervention in Educational Development needs special attention for policy implications, particularly now as we experience worldwide trends of privatization of social services, including education. Case studies, eg of Malaysia, leading to later comparative studies, would be useful for this.

The Malaysian vision for Educational Development generates from the very spirit underlying the creation of Malaysia - of positive, broad, inclusivist nationalism, as opposed to the negative, parochial, exclusivist alternative. The spirit was that, all the peoples of the historical Malay homeland would be brought out of colonial domination, developed, and brought at par with the rest of the world. This, by the leadership of the indigenous and majority Malay, but with participation of - and fruits for - all the segments of the population. Deriving from such, the vision for Educational Development as aggregated into a policy, and then implemented by the Government as the agency with the greatest resource allocation powers at its disposal within the Nation - comprised 4 major features:

1. Gearing the education policy and resource allocation in a direction whereby the Malay are brought at par with the immigrant and minority segments, mainly the Overseas Chinese, who, by British colonial patronage had advanced far ahead of the Malay.
2. Leaving the doors of Educational Development for all the Nation's citizens.
3. Shaping Educational Development in the spirit of bringing it at par with the highest educational standards in the world, mainly of the West.
4. Retaining the initiative and overall resource allocation in the hands of the Government, guided by experts, while leaving open some limited avenues for private, specialised education.

This vision and its consequent policy has potential internal tension between its 4 major elements. It is only through an expert balancing of the potentially contradictory elements, that the overall vision and policy can continue to work, and succeed. Malaysian Government and society seems to have so far done this. Results are encouraging, though certain misgivings in certain quarters remain unavoidable when pursuing such a composite policy. Lessons from Malaysia can be very useful for continued success in Malaysia itself, and as example for other nations faced with issues of "sheltered advancement" for historically disadvantaged populations, and thematic debates between AA and EO philosophies, privatization and government management of education.

Key words:
Malaysia, Education, Development

Objectives, outcomes and activities:
Participants will be presented with an introduction to the issues involved in Governmental Intervention and Visions for Educational Development, as experienced in one particular country, Malaysia. Subsequently they would be encouraged to engage in open discussion on the issues raised, and tentative conclusions presented. The ultimate objective would be to gather insights into the issues involved for further comparative studies leading to better understanding of policy trends, and improved capacity for policy recommendation and implementation in Higher Education Development worldwide.

AA Rahmån, MA (ANU, 1980), PhD. (MIT, '85), began his career after PhD., as a Consultant in International Development at MIT (USA), and soon thereafter, as a Lecturer at UNSW (Sydney, Australia). Since, he has held academic positions at various universities, including as Fellow at Harvard, Senior Fellow at Melbourne, and currently as Professor of International Affairs Management at Northern University of Malaysia. Formerly Editor of Migration Monitor Quarterly (Sydney), he is currently also Editor-designate for IntAff, Northern University's Journal of International Affairs Management, as well as Series Editor for the Utara Monographs in International Relations.

Contact: AA Rahmån, email: aaarks@alphalink.com.au