There is an inherent weakness in our country with respect to tertiary education. Trying to become a regional 'educational hub' hasn't been too successful, despite some increase in numbers of students.

The quality and diversity hasn't been achieved; and one might pretend astonishment. There are four campuses of foreign universities in Malaysia by now and we are happy (or are we?). Recently, the government said it wanted more and the intention is lauded.

But why so few local international campuses during the last six years? Some in the business can point out the reasons clearly including the fact that reputed universities which are invited to set up a branch campus don't take too long to realise that it will not be a transfer of successful programmes to Malaysia, but rather a Malaysianisation of their programmes.

These universities had to learn one way or another that their expertise is not comparable to that of the National Accreditation Board (LAN) which prescribes exactly what courses and credits and syllabi may be offered.

It is questionable if some bureaucrats insist on this and that credits hours, out of which 26 have to consist of Bahasa Malaysia, Islamic Sciences, Malaysian Sciences or whatever else they prescribe.

The institution (LAN) itself had been set up with a good intention, no doubt. But the way it is being handled, its intention to 'guarantee a minimal standard of tertiary education' might turn out to be just that - 'minimal standard'.

We can pat our backs (our own backs) on how great we are but can we hear the bell tolling?