SEVEN ACADEMICIANS APPOINTED TO EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- The Education Ministry has appointed seven
academicians to the National Education Advisory Council, with Universiti
Teknologi Mara (UiTM) board chairman Dr Wan Mohd Zahid Mohd Noordin as head of
the panel.

Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who chaired a
meeting of the council for the first time here, also named the other members.

They are Professor Emeritus Dr Khoo Kay Kim; INTI International University
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Ibrahim Ahmad Bajunid; International Islamic
University of Malaysia (UIAM) Professor of Education Prof Dr Sidek Baba.

Cempaka International School Chairman Freida Mohd Pilus; Sarawak Islamic Council
Education Service Bureau Chairman Dr Adi Badiozaman Tuah and Deputy Dean
(Research and Post-Graduate Studies), School of Social Sciences, Universiti
Sains Malaysia (USM), Assoc Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian.

Education Ministry Secretary-General Dr Rosli Mohamed and Director-General of
Education Abdul Ghafar Mahmud have also been appointed to the council.

Muhyiddin said the members of the council, which was a source of reference for
him on national education matters, would serve for a period of two years and
could be reappointed.

The council, which would meet at least twice a year, would be able to advise,
for example, on matters encompassing the education system from pre-school to
post-secondary, the future direction of education, and human capital development
and marketability, he said.

It could also advise on education management, make assessments on
educational issues in an objective manner and suggest strategies and practical
solutions in tackling issues, he added.

Muhyiddin said the dynamic developments in the country were associated with
human capital and, as such, education was important.

"We want to look ahead 10 years in line with the policies and transformation
being brought about by the government," he said.
-- BERNAMA