Most of the degrees offered by colleges like Taylor's are science or business-related. Taylor's dropped a history program last year because, one professor at the college said, the administration said there was no market for it. Administrators at private colleges defend their curricula, saying they are simply offering the courses that students want. Colleges like Taylor's have since expanded their programs to include ''twinning programs'' with foreign universities. That allows Malaysian students to obtain a foreign university degree without the cost of studying abroad.
Foreign universities provide the curriculum and the teaching materials - and ultimately the degree.
The local college provides the facilities and the professors, who must be approved by the foreign institution. That is less than it costs to send a Malaysian student to Britain for one year, according to Mr. Chew. It's a very precious space and time in our lives. But my students are being given very narrow, career-driven objectives.'' Also at issue are the facilities provided by the private institutions. While the curriculum is the same as their foreign ''twinned'' university, the campuses, libraries and activities available to students often differ greatly. ''Academic reputation is based on so many things.