IPPTN was formally established by the National Council on Higher Education (MPTN) and officially launched on 21st August 1997. Since its establishment, IPPTN is hosted by Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang and is accountable to the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE) and the Vice Chancellor, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
IPPTN undertakes strategic higher education policy research for MOHE and since beginning of 2007, it acts as the secretariat for MOHE’s think tank group. The Director of IPPTN chairs this think group and the secretariat manages the cluster of subject matter experts (SMEs) within group.
Research ActivitiesAs an important research institution central to MOHE’s “Pursuing Excellence in Higher Education” and “Regional Higher Education Hub” objectives, IPPTN’s research activities nescessarily need to focus on improving Malaysia’s Higher Education policies. For this, IPPTN has to continously monitor both the national and global higher education landscapes. IPPTN has, after ten years involvement in higher education policy research, developed expertise in the analysis of several aspects of higher education encompassing:
- Curriculum development and the preparation of an entry-level workforce
- Governance of public universities
- Changing condition for academic work career
- Growth and development and transnational higher education services
- Higher education and regional engagement
- Higher education system
