KUANTAN: The Higher Education Ministry is tightening the use of the word “international” in the names of private higher education institutions (IPTS).

Its deputy minister, Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung said IPTS using the word “international” had a responsibility to offer programmes of quality which comply with international standards.

This was in line with the aim of turning Malaysia into a regional hub of educational excellence.

“This includes offering a campus environment which has characteristics reflecting an IPTS with an international status. It should have administrative blocks, faculties, lecture rooms, main hall and so on,” he said after a function at the South Zone IPTS here yesterday.

He said the ministry was also studying the legal implications of withdrawing the word “international” from IPTS which were still operating from shophouses.

- Bernama