Kuala Lampur:The first reading of the Bill to replace the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU) is anticipated to be tabled at the Dewan Rakyat sitting in December, as stated by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the ministry is actively engaging with stakeholders to ensure the Bill comprehensively addresses the national higher education ecosystem before being tabled in Parliament.

Zambry noted that while the timeline aims for a December reading, the process will involve extensive stakeholder engagement. He spoke about this initiative following the University Research and Innovation Investment Summit (URIIS) 2026's closing ceremony.

The draft Bill encompasses more than student freedom, covering administrative structure, university governance, and academic aspects. AUKU currently contains 44 sections, of which only seven pertain to students, with the remainder focusing on university establishment, governance, and academic issues.

Engagements have been conducted with the Parliamentary Special Select Committee to gather feedback from both government and opposition representatives. Additionally, Zambry expressed hope for increased funding in Budget 2027 to support the Malaysian Higher Education Development Plan.