MOHE to Hold Comprehensive Dialogue with Student Group by May, Adam Adli Assures
MELAKA, April 19 — A long-anticipated dialogue session between Malaysia’s Higher Education Ministry and a national student body is expected to take place by May, with organisers promising a more meaningful and action-oriented engagement compared to past efforts.
Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim said preparations for the dialogue involving the Higher Education Ministry and Liga Mahasiswa Malaysia (LMM) are nearing completion, with final arrangements currently being refined to ensure a structured and inclusive discussion.
He explained that the upcoming session will adopt a roundtable format or periodic open discussions, allowing participants from various backgrounds to contribute actively. The platform is expected to bring together university administrators, academics and students to address pressing issues affecting tertiary education.
Speaking to reporters after attending an event at the Hang Tuah Jaya parliamentary service centre in Bukit Baru, Adam Adli acknowledged that there had been some delay in organising the session. However, he stressed that the additional time was necessary to ensure that the dialogue would be substantive rather than superficial.
“We do not want a session that is merely symbolic or limited to brief exchanges. The aim is to create a space where issues can be discussed thoroughly and meaningfully,” he said.
He noted that previous engagements often involved the submission of memoranda that were received and read without significant follow-up. In contrast, the upcoming dialogue is designed to encourage deeper engagement, where concerns raised will be examined in detail and considered for further action.
Adam Adli emphasised that inclusivity will be a key principle of the dialogue, with all stakeholders given the opportunity to express their views. He said it is important that differing opinions, including those critical of the ministry, are allowed to be heard in an open and respectful environment.
According to him, the ability to “agree to disagree” is an essential part of democratic discourse, particularly in the context of higher education, where diverse perspectives can contribute to more balanced policymaking.
He added that the ministry is committed to ensuring that discussions during the dialogue are not only acknowledged but also followed by concrete steps. Issues raised by students and other stakeholders will be evaluated carefully, with attention given to both immediate concerns and long-term policy implications.
The deputy minister also highlighted the importance of strengthening student participation in decision-making processes. He said the initiative aligns with broader efforts to empower students as active contributors to the education system, rather than passive recipients of policy decisions.
Adam Adli revealed that the plan to establish such a platform had been in motion since the early days of his tenure in the Madani administration. He described the dialogue as part of a wider effort to create a more responsive and accountable system within the higher education sector.
By providing a structured avenue for engagement, the ministry hopes to position students as a constructive force capable of offering feedback and acting as a form of checks and balances. This, he said, would ultimately contribute to a more transparent and effective governance framework.
As preparations enter their final stages, expectations are growing that the upcoming dialogue will set a new benchmark for engagement between policymakers and the student community. The ministry’s approach reflects a shift towards more participatory governance, where voices from the ground are given greater consideration in shaping policies that directly affect them.
-wilayah.com.my
