INTI Corporate Governance

IIU’s governing body will collectively take ownership of tasks and be accountable for university’s activities, approve decisions on matters of fundamental concern within ESG remit. 

IIU’s governing body has overall responsibility for all decisions that might potentially implicate IIU’s reputation towards sustainability.  It therefore needs assurance that IIU: 

1. Meets all legal and regulatory requirements imposed on it as a higher educational body; 

2. Complies with Malaysian Corporate Governance Code of Good Governance (www.sc.com.my) of governance statutes, ordinances and articles. 

IIU’s governing body will ensure to comply with the regulatory and legal requirements in the exercise of their duties and responsibilities where it is constituted. 

All members of the IIU must discharge their duties in accordance with the accepted standards and behaviour in public and within the values stated in this code, and accountability for the affairs of the IIU. 

All members of the IIU’s governing body (including students and staff members) are obliged to have the same legal responsibilities and obligations as other members, no one can be occasionally excluded from discussions.  All members of the IIU have a duty to record and declare any conflicts of interest. 

IIU’s governing body must, as far as practicable, conduct the affairs in an open and transparent manner.  This includes publishing accurate information on IIU’s websites, and any other information related to regulatory compliance and accountability to all stakeholders. 

IIU’s governing body is responsible for safeguarding institutional reputation and autonomy by operating within the values underpin this Code.  

All members of the IIU are advised to act ethically in accordance with the IIU’s own ethical codes, and to the interests of the IIU, its students and other stakeholders.  If a governing body member falls short of these standards, they must be dealt with in accordance with the IIU’s constitution and Code of Conduct.  Such cases must not be tolerated. 

IIU’s governing body must ensure that its decision-making processes and those of the institution are ethical and free of any undue pressures from external interest groups, including donors, alumni, corporate sponsors and political interest groups. 

Any individual members of the governing body with views that are inconsistent with the collective view of the governing body, they should abide by the principle of collective decision-making and avoid putting specific interests or personal views before those of the IIU.  No one should make any agreement for which they do not have authority.  Any violation of this will be taken seriously and be dealt with in accordance with the IIU’s governing policy on Code of Conduct. 

Promoting trust in IIU requires assurance that all members of the governing body are communicating effectively with relevant stakeholders, including the reporting of IIU’s changes in certain circumstances.  IIU’s governing body will ensure that the engagement of the stakeholders on decision made are effective. 

The governing body of the IIU is suggested to take practical actions to ensure that the Students’ Union, Alumni or association operates in a fair, democratic, accountable and financially sustainable manner. 

The governing body of IIU is to assure that a transparent, effective and published process for making and handling a complaint or raising a concern, and that any internal or external complaints or concerns are handled impartially, constructively and in accordance with the ethical code of the IIU.  The governing body of the IIU should also ensure there is an effective process in place for investigating disclosures under whistleblowing legislation. 

IIU’s governing body is responsible to promote a positive culture which supports ethical behavior, equality, inclusivity and diversity across the university. 

Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia are suggested by the Malaysian Corporate Governance of Good Governance  (www.sc.com.my) to comply with equality and diversity policies, and governing bodies are responsible for ensuring the IIU’s compliance.  Policy in this area does not distinguish between domestic and international students and staff. 

IIU’s governing body is required to ensure that there are arrangements in place to: 

• Eliminate unethical discrimination, harassment and victimization; 

• Equal opportunities for all members of IIU and stakeholders; 

• Foster good relations between people who share and those who do not share a protected characteristic; and 

• Promote an inclusive culture. 

IIU’s governing body needs to review and report on the IIU’s approach to equality, inclusivity and diversity.  Therefore, IIU’s management is suggested to provide the governing body with an annual equality monitoring report outlining work done by the IIU and identifying the achievements of agreed goals and objectives and concluding with the data on equality, inclusivity and diversity. 

IIU is to adopt the continuous improvement mindset to ensure the sustainability of the university by actively seek and receive assurance that delivery of the strategic plan is in line with legislative and regulatory requirements, values, policies, and procedures, and that there are effective systems of control and risk management in place. 

The governing body of IIU is responsible for the mission, vision and responsibility of the university and therefore sets values and standards that undertake the IIU’s strategy and operation. 

IIU’s governing body must be engaged in the development of IIU’s strategy and approves or endorses the strategic plan in accordance with its constitution and the expectations of stakeholders, including students and staff.  The governing body of IIU will need assurance that the strategic plan is supported by people and plans which ensure there are: 

Financially, physically, human and information resources are available to support the aims and objectives of the strategy; 

Effective arrangements for the management of information which meets the ethical standards, transparencies of information and other legislation on the use and protection of data; 

Arrangements set to ensure that all resources are used in a sustainable, secure and effective manner; and 

Policies and procedures ready to support the delivery of the IIU’s strategy for sustainability. 

The governing body of IIU is suggested to receive regular and adequate information to monitor and evaluate performance against the strategic plan.  The governing body’s role is to have oversight of performance and constructively challenge it, and suggestions for improvement. 

The governing body of IIU also needs to understand the external environment and along with the management to identify, understand and manage the foreseeable risks and opportunities for the IIU.  It should actively seek and receive assurance that academic governance is robust and effective.  The governing body also needs to provide assurance on academic standards and the integrity of academic qualifications, and to maintain standards and continuously improve quality.  

The governing body of IIU must understand and respect the principle of academic freedom, the ability within the law to question and put forward new ideas and controversial opinions without putting themselves in jeopardy of losing their jobs and privileges and promote and protect the principle of academic freedom.  It should also understand their institution’s legal responsibility to uphold freedom of expression abiding by the law. 

Effective remuneration of all staff is an important part of ensuring institutional sustainability, meeting regulatory requirements and protecting institutional reputation. 

IIU is to engage the various stakeholders on ESG initiatives and ensure that governance processes are effective and agile which comply with the Code. 

IIU’s governing body needs to ensure the activities of the institution are in the interests of students (current and future) and other stakeholders.  Any influences to disrupt IIU’s independence, mission or academic integrity must not be permitted.  Good governance processes and structures should be in place and clearly visible to all members including staff and students (current or future). 

IIU’s governing body should engage regularly with students, staff and other stakeholders with effective two-way communication and must be advised of any major issues arising. 

The governing body of IIU needs to promote a collegiate, collaborative and cooperative approach to liason with students, staff and other stakeholders and ensure that interactions are guided by the values, ethics and culture of IIU. 

In situations where IIUS enter significant partnership or working arrangements with other organizations, governing body of IIU needs to be informed of the benefits and risks of the partnership, and need to be assured that there are effective governance and risk management arrangements in place to support the partnership. 

IIU should ensure the university is accessible and relevant to its local communities, and should be open to, and engage with, their local communities in identifying their role in delivering benefit and economic, civic duties, cultural and social growth toward sustainability.