Changing Landscape of the Malaysian Higher Education: An Overview of Women’s Glass Ceiling

Abstract

The situation for women in Malaysia is improving over time as much of this progress can be attributed to increased access to education for women and greater awareness of their constitutional rights. A significant increase in gender parity has framed the Malaysia higher education landscape. It can be easily seen at the tertiary level in Malaysia along with the availability of women faculty, leadership, academic, and researchers which have increased and significantly contribute to overall Malaysian higher education development. The increase in women researchers as well as more women’s participation in selected STEM courses at the tertiary education in Malaysia shows the enhanced achievement of women’s social status, and in addition has brought them recognition as a significant human capital factor that contributes to the country’s social and economic development. However, these elements are not reflected in a significant increase of women in leadership roles in both the private and public sectors. This chapter discusses how the landscape of Malaysian higher education has evolved since the 1990s in relation to public and private higher education development. Reflecting the existing mind-set and gender stereotypes in place, a significant gender imbalance exits within the senior staff of public institutions and the slow rate of progress that has taken place in the private sector over the last 20 years. This situation signals the need for proactive policy intervention in this area.