Optimism among colleges

Numerous private higher education providers foresee an increase in student enrolment this year despite the economic downturn. Many expect this trend, which was evident in 1997. Official statistics from the Higher Education Ministry support this claim, indicating a significant increase of student enrolments in both public and private higher education insitutions during that bleak period.

'Our student intake for the A Levels and South Australian matriculation programmes this year have increased by 100%,' says Methodist College marketing manager Reuben Chan. 'The reason for this may be that students and parents are only willing to pay for the essentials now, he says. 'Our prices are competitive because we keep costs low by offering no-frills education.'

Nilai University College vice-president Datuk Sothi Rachagan stresses that Malaysian families still place great emphasis on education as a means to improve one's social and economic standing.

'Thus, education will always be a priority, even in difficult times. Besides, the government's stimulus package is expected to include re-training programmes for the unemployed via local colleges and universities. This means that even those who are retrenched may be entering the education sector,' Sothi says.

Raffles Design Institute advertising and promotions manager David Lee says even non-traditional courses such as design will see an increase in intake.

'We are moving towards a knowledge-based society, and I think both parents and students are aware of the importance of education as more than just a means to get a job,' adds Lee, who expects more students to study locally instead of going overseas due to the volatile exchange rates.

'In fact, we have students transferring to Malaysia from our campuses in Singapore and Australia because they can obtain the same qualification at a cheaper price here.'

'While the situation for potential undergraduates may be more complicated, my personal opinion is that popular postgraduate courses such as business studies will still be in demand,' says Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman's Dean of Postgraduate Studies and Research Prof Dr Lee Sze Wei.

However, research and grant funding from the private sector will probably decrease, he thinks.

'Most funding comes from government sources anyway, and it is likely that they will continue pumping money into these areas.' -The Star