ILLUMINATING DIVERSITY PRACTICES IN MALAYSIAN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

This study investigated the current level of awareness on diversity-related issues and its relations to diversity climate and global-mindedness of students and lecturers in Malaysian Higher Education Institutions. A total of 615 students from various private and public universities, polytechnics and community colleges participated in the survey. They comprised Chinese, Malay, Indians and others. The Diversity Climate Survey and the Global Mindedness Scale by J. E. Hett were used and the analysis was conducted using ANOVA and Bivariate Correlational Analysis. The construct reliability for both tests ranged between .86 and .90 and .58 and .76 for Diversity Climate and Global Mindedness respectively. Results indicated that differences were found in the perceptions of diversity climate and levels of global mindedness in terms of gender, ethnicity and types of institution. Overall, the Malaysian Higher Education Institutions have reported a moderate climate in diversity and a low level of global-mindedness. In terms of ethnicity, there was a significant difference in students’ perception of Diversity Climate and Global Mindedness. A broader scope of knowledge and awareness on learner diversity is needed to ensure sustainable development of our higher education institutions.