RPTM 2026-2035 FOCUSES ON SHAPING ETHICAL, COMPETITIVE INDIVIDUALS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint (RPTM) 2026-2035 outlines a new direction for the country's higher education based on human values, well-being and sustainability to produce knowledgeable, ethical and globally competitive individuals.

According to the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) RPTM executive summary, higher education must not only function as an economic driver, but also shape responsible individuals and societies.

"RPTM 2026-2035 will be anchored on four core values that are outlined in the Higher Education Framework: humanity-centred, holistic well-being, shared prosperity and sustainability,” according to the document.

The summary explained that the humanity-centred approach called for the balanced integration of knowledge, manners and values, with emphasis on human well-being, environmental conservation and efforts towards shared prosperity.

"By cultivating personal growth, sustainability and fairness, individuals will be capable of facing global challenges and spur social, environmental and economic progress, thus contribute towards a resilient and sustainable future,” it added.

Holistic well-being, meanwhile, is emphasised through a balanced development - intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically - to produce individuals who are ethical, competitive and capable of contributing meaningfully to society and country.

In terms of impact, RPTM 2026-2035 targets a higher education system capable of producing talent that is future-ready, adaptive and geared towards solving real-world problems.

"Students need to be swift, adaptive and resilient, developing a mindset driven by impact and aligning personal growth with community and global needs,” it said.

The executive summary also stressed the role of higher education institutions as drivers of innovation and impactful research, emphasising that research results must deliver tangible benefits to the people and support sustainable development.

"Responsible and impactful research and innovation must be aligned with national priorities and earth's health agenda to benefit society and the environment,” it added. 

In terms of implementation, the plan is divided into several phases, starting with strengthening the foundation of values, governance and institutional capacity before transitioning to expansion and impact empowerment.

The summary also stresses the importance of the well-being of campus residents as a prerequisite for the success of higher education.

"An effective higher education ecosystem must support the mental, physical and emotional well-being of students and staff to ensure the system's long-term sustainability,” it added.

Overall, the RPTM 2026-2035 reiterates that the success of higher education is not measured solely by the performance of institutions or their rankings, but by their ability to shape individuals who appreciate values, are human-centred and contribute to national progress and universal well-being.

-- BERNAMA