A market-sensitive education system is evolving here in Malaysia. Our schools and universities are taking up the challenge of globalisation by changing not only the content of curriculum and programmes but more importantly the delivery systems. IT-enhanced teaching and learning are already making computers in schools, distance learning, video conferencing and internet link commonplace. We have to race ahead to achieve a significant transformation of our educational infrastructure in order to meet the next millennium as a technologically competent and scientifically adept society. Here in Malaysia, we speak of vision 2020. This is not about one man's view of the future but a carefully planned response to global change and development. Malaysia's own development has reached a critical juncture. The structural transformations of its economy place our society at the threshold of a fundamental shift; first into an information-based society and then beyond to knowledge-based one. We have therefore primed our education structures to enable the building of a pool of well educated, highly skilled and strongly motivated professionals. The nation's human capital is its most important economic and development resource. We are embarking on an educational journey (infused with a sense of urgency) that will deliver on the promises made establish Malaysia as a fully industrialised country in the 21st century. The government is facilitating change and seeking innovative approaches to expand the education base. Strategies for growth and development of education in the Seventh Malaysia Plan are a significant departure from the government-propelled initiatives of previous years. A Malaysia Inc approach in education is making it possible for the private sector to meet the needs for tertiary education by offering degree, diploma and certificate level courses. We have set the stage for a major revolutionary change in our education system. Since 1995, my Ministry has successfully pushed through six pieces of legislation to position Malaysia as a regional education hub. The Education Act 1996; National Council on Higher Education Institutions Act 1996; the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996; National Accreditation Board Act 1996, the Universities and University Colleges (Amendment) Act 1996 and the National Higher Education Fund Board Act 1997 have facilitated a more market-centred education system With the legal framework almost complete, the education system is indeed set for a quantum leap which will bring sweeping changes to our institutes of learning, enabling them to offer a wider range of courses, different options and approaches to learning, better management, new teaching methods and an overall increase in productivity and standards To take full advantage of the opportunities offered by an increasingly borderless world, foreign universities are being encouraged to set up offshore branches in Malaysia, but only the best will receive approval. At the same time corporations have been given the mandate to establish private universities. This dynamic relationship between government, the private sector and strategic foreign academic partners will no doubt help us realise our goals. By building a world class system that is flexible and innovative we hope to create here in Malaysia a regional education hub and a centre for educational excellence. List of Higher Education Institutions in the Malaysia Source: Ministry of Education