Malaysian Vision 2020 Prepared by Doaa M Bamasoud

“Malaysian Vision 2020” Prepared by: Doaa M. Bamasoud INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

Malaysian Vision 2020 In 1991, Malaysia launched what is known as “vision 2020”. Vision 2020 states: “the ultimate objective that we should aim for is a Malaysia that is a fully developed country by year 2020. It must be a nation that is fully developed along all the dimensions: economically, politically, socially, spiritually, psychologically and culturally. We must be fully developed in terms of national unity and social cohesion, in terms of our economy, in terms of social justice, political stability, system of government, quality of life, social and spiritual values, national pride and confidence”(Mahathir, 1991). Since that time the concentration is on transforming Malaysia to a knowledge-based economy, refer to figure 1 next page. Figure 1: Malaysia’s Economic Transformation - Source: Tuah et al. 2009. In MOSTI 2007 INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

This vision requires transformation in various sectors, an urgent transformation is needed in the higher education. Figure 2, represents initiatives by the MOHE plan to assist all higher education institutions (HEIs). The importance of higher education in this process (in the transfer to knowledge based economy) must not be underestimated it is today considered by both developed and developing nations to be a critical agenda in the formulation of national policies (National Higher Education Action Plan 2007 -2010). The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has outlined, in National Higher Education Action Plan 2007 -2010, its focus on seven strategic thrusts, among these thrusts: “Enhancing Research and Innovation”. Figure 3 shows the Ministry’s long-term Strategic Plan (Roadmap) encompasses of four phases. The first three phases until 2020 are grounded in ‘end-state’ objectives, thrusts and strategies. The fourth phase, beyond 2020, is more aspirational in nature and will be based on the accomplishments of the first three phases and new challenges circa 2020. INSPIRING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MINDS

Figure 2: Transformation Framework for Institutional Pillars and Critical Agenda - Source: National Higher Education Action Plan 2007 -2010 Figure 3: Transformation Roadmap Source: National Higher Education Action Plan 2007 -2010