Legitimacy and Public Perception of Private Higher Education Institutions
description: This chapter examines how legitimacy shapes the status, credibility, and societal value of private higher education institutions (PEIs) across Asia. Despite significant growth, PEIs often face entrenched stigma linked to colonial hierarchies, media narratives, and regulatory frameworks that privilege public universities. Drawing on institutional legitimacy theory, the chapter analyses how regulatory, normative, pragmatic, and symbolic forms of legitimacy influence public trust, student choice, and policy treatment. Case studies from Singapore, Malaysia, India, and Vietnam illustrate diverse strategies used by PEIs to strengthen legitimacy, including employer engagement, branding, alumni visibility, accreditation, and mission-led identity work. The chapter argues that legitimacy must be reclaimed through purpose, inclusion, transparency, and demonstrable educational value, rather than mimicry of public sector norms. Copyright 2026, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global Scientific Publishing is prohibited. Use of this chapter to train generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is expressly prohibited. The publisher reserves all rights to license its use for generative AI training and machine learning model development.
creator: Ghosh, Oindrilla; Kumar, Binod; Choy, Murphy
source: Transforming Private Higher Education in Asia Through Creativity and Purpose;pp.35-67
publisher: IGI Global Scientific Publishing
date: 01-01-2026
rights: Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
relation: ISBN: 979-833734934-3; 979-833734933-6; 979-833738530-3;
language: English
type: Book chapter
coverage: Ghosh O., Christ University, India; Kumar B., Radha Govind University, India; Choy M., Curtin University, Australia