Visibility of Infrastructure Integration System and Interconnection of University’s Accountability in the Context of Generating Sustainable Conducive Learning Environment of International Standard Campus

Abstract

This paper discusses the visibility of infrastructure integration and the interconnectedness of university accountability in the context of generating a sustainable conducive learning environment of an international standard campus in Malaysian Public Universities. The sustainability of a conducive learning environment proves the commitment of the university management in realising the country’s internationalisation policy. The concept of conducive environmental sustainability is centered on the vital functions and effectiveness of the infrastructure system implemented by a university. It has continuity with a system of well-being and welfare support which is an attractive factor in the selection of Malaysia as a study destination for international students. Ideally, the provision of university infrastructure includes three components, (a) learning and teaching infrastructure, (b) Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, and (c) research infrastructure. This study has two main objectives, namely (1) to explore the views of international students on the sustainability of the infrastructure system in Malaysian Public Universities and (2) to assess the views of students on the responsibility of Malaysian Public Universities to provide a conducive learning environment to upgrade its status as an international campus. A qualitative approach using in-depth interview techniques was selected based on the background of an exploratory study. A total of 30 international students studying at four Malaysian Public Universities were interviewed to obtain empirical data. The application of thematic techniques to the transcripts of in-depth interviews was through the process of coding dominant and subdominant themes. The discussion of this paper utilises a selection of narrative from respondents that focus on three dominant themes namely (i) Facilities and Infrastructure (ii) Customer Friendly Services of the Office of International Affairs and (iii) Assurance of International Student Safety at Malaysian Public Universities. It is hoped that this discussion will be able to elevate the image and quality of Malaysian Public Universities in continuing to give a commitment to attracting more international students to further their studies in Malaysia.