The National Council of Professors (NCP) will meet with public universities soon to discuss contractual issues and the suggestion to extend the retirement age for professors.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said he realised that a number of professors were approaching retirement age, but their services were still needed by universities.

"The ministry will study the matter and will discuss with the universities as they know better what is needed," he said when commenting on the proposal by NCP for the retirement age of professors at public universities be extended to 65 in line with international practice.

Idris was met by reporters after launching the book titled "New Compact History of Mexico" at the Chancellery Building, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Monday.

The launch of the translated book by the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS) was also attended by UKM vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali and Mexico's ambassador to Malaysia, Carlos Felix Corona.