A research institute based in Kuala Lumpur has concluded that "poor management at the top" may be the root cause of financial stress and poor quality outcomes affecting Malaysian private varsities.

"Although a good proportion - around 65 percent of the vice-chancellors and 68 percent of the deputy vice-chancellors have international degrees of one form or another - only around 15 percent of VCs and eight percent of deputy VCs have significant overseas management experience," said Penang Institute General Manager Ong Kian Ming.