The autonomy of universities is a fundamental principle that underpins effective governance and academic freedom. It enables universities to make decisions independently, fostering an environment conducive to intellectual growth, innovation, and high-quality education. In Malaysian public universities, recent concerns raised by young lecturers about their teaching workloads highlight the critical issue of administrative autonomy. Administrative autonomy involves the freedom to manage internal affairs, including faculty appointments and resource allocation.

Historically, Malaysian public universities have operated under significant governmental oversight. While such oversight aims to ensure accountability and alignment with national education goals, it can sometimes infringe on the autonomy that universities need to thrive.

Recent reports indicate that young lecturers have appealed to the Higher Education Minister to address their heavy teaching workloads, underscoring the challenges facing universities' administrative autonomy. Lecturers report that their teaching loads leave little time for research, professional development, and student engagement outside the classroom. This not only affects their job satisfaction and career progression but also the overall quality of education.

This incident is evidence that our institutions may not have sufficiently matured to benefit from institutional autonomy. A mature, autonomous institution would resolve internal issues without external intervention. Ideally, the Minister should direct these lecturers to their institutional leaders, who should be empowered to address such concerns decisively. The inability of institutional leaders to resolve 'domestic' issues is alarming and suggests a need to review the selection criteria for leadership positions rather than intervening in its autonomy.

Leaders should be chosen based on merit and capability. The minister's involvement in this issue also highlights the tension between governmental oversight and university autonomy. While the government's role in regulating and supporting higher education is crucial, there is a fine line between necessary oversight and undue interference. Institutional autonomy is sacred and must be respected by all parties concerned.

Universities, as the backbone of our education system, should be able to set their own policies regarding teaching loads based on their unique contexts and needs. This shift from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more flexible model that considers each institution's specific circumstances is crucial. Transparent and participatory decision-making processes within universities can help ensure that teaching load policies are not only fair and equitable but also reflect the needs and aspirations of the faculty. Involving lecturers in these discussions is not just a formality, but a recognition of their expertise and a step towards more practical and acceptable solutions. Institutions should also review staff distribution and maintain a healthy ratio between academic and administrative staff.  With the right support and funding management, institutions may also be able to hire additional faculty, reduce the individual teaching load, and allow lecturers more time for research and professional development, thus enhancing the quality of education.

The autonomy of universities is not just a principle, but a catalyst for advancing higher education in Malaysia. By fostering a more autonomous environment, Malaysian public universities can better fulfill their mission of providing high-quality education and increasing creativity and cutting-edge research , thereby contributing significantly to the nation’s development and global competitiveness. It is a call to action for public university leaders to actively exercise their autonomy, or risk losing it. This is not just a matter of policy, but a commitment to the future of education in Malaysia.


** Dr Rozilini Mary Fernandez-Chung, PFHEA, is a life member of PenDaPaT and an Associate Professor at the School of Education, University of Nottingham Malaysia.

** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.