Malaysian Higher Education Updates

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An ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Quality Assurance Network, launched in Malaysia in 2008, and co-organized by the MQA, is being used as a means of promoting and sharing information on quality assurance in the region.

Malaysia is right next door to Singapore and therefore will be competing with Singapore's 'Global Schoolhouse' concept.

Islamic education is one significant area where Malaysia could become a hub of international education. In this "post-American world", Islamic education is increasingly become much more important.  Especially in the area of finance it is a US$1.2 trillion industry.

The Cardiff University Business School recently announced that it wants to become the UK hub for Islamic finance education. This was after the school had agreed to collaborate with Islamic Banking and Finance Centre (IBFC UK) and with Islamic Banking and Finance Institute in Malaysia (IBFIM).

Both philosophically and geographically, Malaysia is in an ideal situation to become a hub for Islamic education. With its close proximity to Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim population, there is a ready-made market on its doorstep.

It is also an attractive study destination for students from the Middle East, as well as some African countries, not only because of its location but also the cost of studying which is much more manageable for many students than similar courses in western countries. While practicing a moderate brand of Islam, Malaysia is a comfortable place to study. Albeit a small one, this has given the rise over the years. But whether this situation continues or not remains to be seen.

But if Malaysia wants to become an international education hub it needs to work hard with a clear focus. For this, the nation needs to get its own education house. Then it needs to self question why it wants to become a hub followed by having specific goals and how to achieve those.

Finally, establishing a good quality assurance framework is very much essential. This will bring the higher education in line with the international higher education institutions it wishes to compete with.

“The University announced that the office will recruit two local Malaysian staff. The office will be based in the Mid Valley area of the city, and will serve as an “information hub” for students and a centre for application processing in South East Asia.”

The office will also be used to explore potential partnerships with Malaysian universities, which could ultimately see the university’s courses being delivered at institutions in the region.

“The International team is engaged in a competitive race to recruit the brightest and best students from across the globe,” said Nicola Rozi, international officer for Northampton.

“The position of our latest regional office in Kuala Lumpur is particularly exciting because it allows our new and existing international staff to be well positioned to strengthen our collaborative partnerships in the region.”

Several other UK universities, including Southampton, Heriot-Watt, Nottingham and Reading, have established international campuses in the country.