Historical Development of Public Institutions of Higher Learning in Malaysia

In Malaysia, institutions of higher learning are divided into public and private. Public higher institutions of learning (IPTA) such as teacher training college, technical college, agricultural college, polytechnic, language institute and 20 other universities are listed by the Ministry of Higher Education. All IPTAsare mostly funded by government financial provisions through the Ministry of Higher Education whereas private institutions of higher learning (IPTS) are more like businesses with profits, withmuch less government funding than forIPTAs. This article discusses the early development of institutions of higher learning through the Universities and Colleges Act from the year 1960 to the year 2012 and their contribution to the community, society and nation. The outcome of this article is based on a qualitative method by analysis of library literature. Reference is also made to related websites such as the official portal site of the Ministry of Higher Education.