PENANG, 26 September 2014 - “Many universities have to undertake drastic transformations in governance, organisational structure and operation mode to keep abreast with the revolution in information technology,” said Professor Dr. Mohammad Rasul Jan, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Peshawar, Pakistan.

He added that higher education should not only limit its role in increasing literacy level but to serve as “an engine for socio-economic development”.

Thus, moving away from traditional role of providing higher education, higher education institutions (HEIs) took on the new role of forging innovation and entrepreneurship.

Mohammad Rasul was speaking at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Leaders Talk Series 4 under the title Globalisation and the New Role of Higher Educational Institution, organised by USM Strategic Communications Office (SCOMM).

Mohammad Rasul pointed out that modern universities introduced the elements of innovation, creativity and interdisciplinary research as vital components of teaching.

“With knowledge exchange programmes, the university contributes more directly to the economy and society than many other institutions in the country,” he said.

Globally, HEIs are taking on more students as observed in the statistics: the number of higher education students rose to 199 million in 2013 from 163 million in 2008.

He attributed this spurt to the strong growth in the number of primary and secondary education students and the focus by emerging market governments on making education compulsory by law, as well as the implementation of literacy campaigns.

With “knowledge explosion” universities developed their curriculum along the emphasis of interdisciplinary approach; meeting the “public service agenda” (volunteerism); and to increase the employability of their students, obtain feedback from industries of their needs.

One of the things that Mohammad Rasul pointed out was the big imbalance between what was expected of the universities and their capacity to respond.

“Although the imbalance does not apply to all the universities but it does appear as a global trend, particularly in public universities,” he said.

To drive a university to higher levels, he proposed the introduction of bonuses linked to work-related excellence, external profits from contracts, and innovative solutions implemented to institutions.

In short, the roles of higher educational institutions are constantly shifting and expanding as communities around the world become more globalised.

Before the start of the talk, USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman said in his welcoming speech that hosting distinguished speakers for an exchange of ideas has always been the practice at USM.

“We are very blessed to have such an eminent and well-known academician and scholar like Professor Dr. Mohammad Rasul Jan visiting our university to share with us his vast knowledge and experience; in fact earlier this month, we were visited by another outstanding scientist, Nobel Laureate, Sir Richard Roberts,” said Omar. - Text: Yong Check Yoon/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa