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Nation building and the university in developing countries: The case of Malaysia

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Abstract

The part played by the university in the building of a nation in the post-independence period is described and illustrated by means of a detailed study of Malaysia. The impact of economic, socio-cultural and political factors is analysed and the objectives of higher education in contemporary Malaysia are articulated. The rapid development of new universities (beginning with the author's own institution in 1969) was carried out simultaneously with an increasing demand for graduates in science and technology. Questions of access in the Malaysian multi-cultural situation and the measures taken to increase Malay participation in higher education are discussed, particularly in relation to manpower needs. Research in Malaysian universities is directed towards social and economic problems and the applied is preferred to the pure. The article ends with a call for greater coordination of the contributions made by the separate universities to the building of the nation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Science University of Malaysia Penang, Malaysia

    Sharom Ahmat

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  1. Sharom Ahmat
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Ahmat, S. Nation building and the university in developing countries: The case of Malaysia. High Educ 9, 721–741 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02259978

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