By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, June 20: The Higher Education Ministry is considering granting state-owned universities the status of either public higher learning institutions (IPTA) or state higher learning institutions (IPTN).
Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee said that currently, state-owned universities are classified as private institutions, which affects their operations.
According to him, this classification has implications, such as the use of zakat money to fund higher learning institutions.
“Therefore, this issue will be addressed, and the Higher Education Ministry will examine whether state-owned universities should be elevated to the status of IPTA or IPTN. They are looking into the legal aspects too,” he told reporters at Raia Hotel here today (June 20).
He added that most states in Malaysia have their own universities, such as those in Melaka, Selangor, and Sarawak.
When asked about the benefits for state-owned universities in gaining IPTN status, he said one of them is tax advantages, along with the possibility of receiving funding from the Federal government. — DayakDaily
