"By 2020, the number of students in public universities in Malaysia will reach a half million, while on the other hand, the number of students in private universities will reach 600,000," said Pradeep Nair, president of Taylor University based in Malaysia, during the seventh China-Asean Education Cooperation Week held in Guiyang, capital city of Guizhou province, on September 1.

Nair holds optimistic views of the growth of private universities, but he also stressed that there will be many concerns and challenges with such growth. 

President of Taylor University based in Malaysia, Pradeep Nair, delivers a speech at the seventh China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week on September 1.[Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

"It will lead to declining education performance," said Nair. "The growing number of private universities will make enrollment easier than before, and the number of students in higher education will certainly increase. However, on the other hand, the number of teachers and the quality of education have not improved."

Nair spoke highly of the platform provided by the cooperation week, and he looked forward to having more exchange and cooperation with Chinese universities, scholars and experts. “Private universities have high faculty mobility, which is not easy for universities looking to maintain sustainable development and consistent education quality. Considering this, we have a talent pool, engaged a large number of scholars at home and abroad throughout the year, and involved them in our daily education.

"It is not easy for private universities to stand out nowadays, as there are so many similar universities, only if the private universities can put focus on building their core disciplinary."

"In my opinion, education is not meant to teach every student the same content, but to train student's individual characteristics as well as stimulate their specialties," said Nair. 

"Massive open online courses are currently a very popular education method, which most junior and senior high schools have adopted, as well as private universities. I support the development of MOOCs, as they are perfect for providing customized and differentiated education for every student."