KUALA LUMPUR: Lecturers' academic freedom and welfare will form part of Malaysia's higher education overhaul as the government moves to repeal the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU), with their obligations under Act 605 also coming under examination.

Higher Education director-general Datuk Professor Dr Azlinda Azman said academics had highlighted that discussions on the issue appeared to focus largely on students, despite their own concerns.

Those concerns were raised during dialogue sessions in Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir's visits to public universities and direct engagements with academic groups.

"They said sometimes people outside see students, students, students. But what about us? We academics too feel that changes must also take into consideration the academicians' needs and struggles.