KUALA LUMPUR: The traditional university campus model is set for a transformation as online learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) increasingly shape the education landscape.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir suggested that the current campus design may become obsolete in the future.
"The size and number of campuses we need to build for tomorrow will not be like what we have now.
"That model may no longer be sustainable.
"With the rise of online learning and AI, the physical presence of students is no longer necessary for certain fields of study," he said during a Luncheon Talk with Editors programme today.
The idea came about during a question-and-answer session where editors and media representatives raised various topics regarding the state of higher education in Malaysia.
As the education landscape evolves, the integration of AI and online learning would not only reshape teaching methods but also reduce the dependency on traditional physical campuses.
Zambry also outlined the government's initiatives to internationalise local universities, highlighting efforts to attract foreign students and expand Malaysian universities abroad.
"We are not just inviting students to study here; we are reaching out internationally.
"For instance, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) already has offshore campuses in Qatar and Indonesia," he said.
On the issue of graduate employability, he said the demand for specific skills and manpower has shifted, making collaboration between universities and other ministries essential to identify job market needs.
He said there was a need for a holistic approach involving various ministries to align education with market realities.
"The prime minister has emphasised inter-ministry collaboration on this matter. Universities alone cannot pinpoint market demands.
"It requires a collective effort," he added.