The post-pandemic challenge: reimagining private higher education in Malaysia

ABSTRACT

The Covid-19 global pandemic has created an unprecedented experience for many. The private higher education was not spared and currently faces numerous challenges. This paper aims to provide a brief background on the higher education landscape in Malaysia and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the private higher education sector. Inevitably, these institutions need to reimagine their existing business models in order to face the post-pandemic world.

KEYWORDS:

• Covid-19 post-pandemic
• private higher education
• core fundamentals
• Malaysia

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Josephine Chan Ie Lyn

Dr Josephine Chan Ie Lyn is currently a Research Fellow at Wawasan Open University, Penang, Malaysia. Dr Chan obtained her B.Ed. (TESL) honours degree from Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and her M.Ed. (TESOL) and Doctor in Business Administration from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia. She has more than 26 years of working experience in various industries. Her research interests include higher education, strategic management and organisational performance. She holds qualifications in quality, environmental, occupational health and safety management systems, and is an experienced ISO consultant and auditor. She has previously worked in Indonesia and China.

Selvarani Suppiah

Ms Selvarani Suppiah is currently the Communications Assistant Manager at Wawasan Open University, Penang, Malaysia. Ms Suppiah obtained her Bachelor of Science (Human Development) degree from Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia. She has more than 36 years of working experience. Notably was her position of Special Assistant to two Penang State Executive Councillors (2002–2008) where she undertook various research activities for the State such as George Town’s bid to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Her other research work involved several memorandums submitted to the Federal Government calling for policy changes such as improvements in smoking warnings, public transportation, vehicle safety and workers’ protection. She also has journalistic experience.

Lily Chan

Professor Dr Lily Chan is currently the Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of Wawasan Open University, Penang, Malaysia. Professor Chan obtained her BA (Biology) honours degree at Agnes Scott College, Decatur, Georgia, USA and completed her PhD (Microbiology and Immunology) at the University of Illinois at the Medical Centre, Chicago, Illinois, USA. She has more than 30 years of leadership in the industry, government and academia. Her vast experiences range from start-up initiatives and venture investments to the creation of innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems. She also holds three issued US patents in the field of infectious disease which are now utilised as commercial products in the diagnostic arena.