Relationship between multiculturalism and higher education policy in Malaysia in terms of ethnic diversity and equality

Abstract

This study attempted to examine the relationship between multiculturalism and higher education in regard to Malaysia's educational policy. Four goals were set to determine the significance between each: first, to understand the significant meaning of multiculturalism in a multiracial society; second, to differentiate the status of higher education among Malaysia's major racial ethnic groups-the Malays, Chinese, and Indians; third, to analyze the discrepancy between the terms "gender," "race," and "ethnicity" in regard to Malaysia's higher education policy; and fourth, to assess multicultural higher education in Malaysia. This study consisted of a survey that utilized closed-ended questionnaires, which allows participants to freely comment about the sensitive matters that are not discussed in Malaysia. A total of 100 participants have taken part in this survey with the only control variable being that the citizenship of the participants had to be Malaysian to ensure accurate results. This study also includes the report from the Ministry of Higher Education, Buku Quick Facts 2014, peer-reviewed journal articles, and books as supporting resources. Malaysia is a multicultural, multiracial, and multilingual country that is suitable to be analyzed in this research study. Racial tension, racial discrimination, negative sanctions of the educational policy toward minorities, and absence of freedom of speech are some of the major challenges confronting Malaysians. Thus, this study focuses on the significance of multiculturalism and the importance of equal educational opportunities in Malaysia regardless of ethnic diversity and equality, which cannot be ignored.