MALAYSIA’S EDUCATION EXPORT IN
THE 21ST CENTURY: A TRADE
TOWARDS NATIONAL GROWTH
Prof. Dr. Mohd Ismail Abd Aziz
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (Director, International
Office)
Part 1:
Part of the slides were presented at
3rd Pan Commonwealth Conference on Services
Trade “Harnessing Transnational Education for
Growth” Organized by:
Commonwealth Secretariat & Malta Enterprise
29-31 May 2012. Malta.
Image source: http://goo.gl/wDeXv
Challenges for higher education today?
…the growth of market-driven activities, fuelled by increased
demand for higher education worldwide, declining public
funding in many national contexts, the diversification of
higher education providers, and new methods of delivery….
“
” International Association of Universities. (2005). Sharing Quality Higher Education Across Borders: A
Statement on Behalf of Higher Education Institutions Worldwide
…the strength of (Malaysia’s) skilled workforce
must be increased in order to accelerate the
country into a high-income economy status. To
improve its global standing in
competitiveness…We cannot hope to become an
innovation-driven economy without the
necessary human expertise ….
“
” 23 September 2011. Welcoming speech by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
Making A High Income Nation A Reality national conference
Zooming in: Focus on Asia
Image source: World Bank Data
“…This rapid enrollment growth in Asian countries is a
result of substantial economic growth…
Significantly, the growth of higher education
enrollments in both Asia and Latin America has been
facilitated by growth of the private higher
education sector…”
JC Shin and Grant Harman. (2009). New challenges for higher education: global and Asia-Pacific
Perspectives. Asia Pacific Education Review 10: 1-13.
“… A noticeable
recent growth in
higher education
enrollments has
appeared in a
number of Asian
and Latin
American
countries… “
Background: Malaysian higher education development
1990s
Introduction of Private Higher Education
Institutions Act (PHEI Act) 1996 –
liberalisation of Malaysian higher education
Foreign higher education institutions
allowed to set up branch campuses in
collaboration with local partners (Nottingham
Uni/ Reading Uni/ Southampton Uni/ New
Castle Uni/ Curtin Uni/ )
Image source: Google Images
Background: Malaysian higher education development
2000 - 2020
Malaysian higher education
transformation
Malaysia as a destination of
choice for more than 86,919
international students, especially
students from the South East
Asian and Middle East countries
Introduction of National Higher
Education Strategic Plan 2020
(NHESP 2020) in 2007 as a
strategic blueprint in developing
a globally recognized and
competitive higher education in
the region by 2020.
Image source: Google Images
Malaysian
higher education aspirations
Human Capital Development and
Nation Building
Global Engagement
Contributing towards Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs)
Enhancing World Presence through
Contribution and Reputation
Knowledge and Skills Hub Creation
through Internationalization
Background: Malaysian higher education development
Image 1: http://goo.gl/1Y2jH
Image 2: http://goo.gl/HV2fo
Education hub by 2020
“The education sector is critical, not just as a means in
cultivating first-class human capital and creating
social mobility, but also as an engine of growth in
its own right.
In higher education, our vision is nothing less than
to develop Malaysia into a regional centre for
excellence in tertiary education. We aspire to
produce more researchers and scientists, more
engineers and professionals, more specialists and
skilled technical talent who can succeed in an
increasingly competitive global market.
Both private and public higher education
institutions in Malaysia must rise up to this
challenge...”
Performance Management and Delivery Unit. (PEMANDU). (2010) Economic Transformation Programme.
National
aspirations
Target:
200,000
international
student
enrolment by
2020
Public- AND
private-led
initiatives
Malaysia and TNE: All 4 modes observed
Mode 1:
CROSS BORDER SUPPLY Education National Key Result
Area (NKEA):
Asian e-University (AEU)
Wawasan University
Open University
Mode 2:
CONSUMPTION
ABROAD 86,919 international students
hosted by 2010
Mode 3:
COMMERCIAL PRESENCE
7 international branch campuses
(2012)
18 twinning degrees, 53 credit
transfer programmes, 183 “3+0”
foreign degree arrangements
Mode 4:
PRESENCE OF NATURAL
PERSONS
No. of international academic
staff hosted: 5,003 (private
HEIs), 1,681 (public HEIs)
(2010)
Virtual presence HE as Malaysia’s service export
Transnational export of
programmes and providers
Talent to build capacity of
local HEIs Image source: http://goo.gl/YXLuI
Malaysia’s attraction as a TNE provider
Data source: Institute of Higher Education Research Institute (IPPTN)
Image source: ESL Language Centre, Malaysia
A melting pot of cultures,
traditions and ethnicities
Recognition of academic
programs nationally and
internationally
Affordable living costs and fee
structure
Twinning degree programs and
3+0 foreign bachelor degree
programs
Multi-lingual environment with
English widely spoken
Global perception of Malaysia
as a moderate Islamic nation
Source: Economic Transformation Programme (ETP)
12 National Key Result Areas
Oil and gas Palm oil Financial
services Tourism Business
services
Electronics
& Electrical
Wholesale
& retail
Education Healthcare Communication,
content,
infrastructure
Agriculture Greater Kuala
Lumpur
Malaysia, TNE and economic growth
Education as one of the identified sectors accelerating Malaysia’s
growth towards a high-income developed nation status by 2020
Malaysia, TNE and economic growth
Excerpts from Syed Alwee Alsagoff. (2012). “Global mobility at a crossroads: What is the relationship between
international student recruitment and talent scouting?”. Presentation to TalentCorp April 2012.
No. of international students (2003-2011) Mode 2:
Consumption abroad
Source: Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE)
Current status
Source – PSPTN ePMO; actual figure for 2012 as at 08/05/2012
Public HEIs: targeted no. of students
participating in international mobility
programmes (short term, inbound / outbound)
(2011-2015 / NHESP Phase 2)
Mode 2:
Consumption abroad
Current status
Mode 3:
Commercial presence
Current status
0
2
4
6
8
Twinningdegree 1 3 1 8 1 1 3
Indonesi USA Jordan UK Poland Australia India
Transnational arrangement between Malaysian
private higher education institutions with foreign
institutions (2011 data, MOHE)
**Students can pursue either 1 year; 1½ years; 2 years; or 2½ years at a private
higher educational institution in Malaysia, out of a 3-year degree programme
before going to the twinning partner university overseas to complete the remaining
modules of the course. Upon fulfilling the graduation requirements, the students
would be awarded the partner university‟s degree qualification.
Mode 3:
Commercial presence
Current status
0
5
10
15
20
Credittransfer 15 1 1 10 8 16 1 1
US Indonesi Czech UK New Australi China Canada
Transnational arrangement between Malaysian
private higher education institutions with foreign
institutions (2011 data, MOHE)
**Advanced standing / credit transfer: a private higher educational institution‟s
internal diploma (or a particular degree transfer course) is recognised with
„advanced standing‟ entry status by one or more partner foreign universities,
in terms of credits exemption given for advancing into their bachelor‟s degree
programmes. Students who have completed a course with „advanced standing‟
status can gain admission into the second or third year of the degree programme
overseas.
Mode 3:
Commercial presence
Transnational arrangement between Malaysian
private higher education institutions with foreign
institutions (2011 data, MOHE)
0
50
100
150
3+0Foreigndegrees 143 9 23 2 1 4
UK US Australia Switzerla Canada France
Current status
**Under a „3+0‟ arrangement, a bachelor‟s degree programme from a leading
foreign university is conducted at a private higher educational institution in
Malaysia. A student is therefore able to complete their course entirely in Malaysia.
Mode 3:
Commercial presence
2009
No. of IBC hosted: 5
No. of IBC abroad: 4
International branch campus (IBC) development
2011
No. of IBC hosted: 7
No. of IBC abroad: 6
15,300 : No. of students studying in IBCs (2011)
2,189 : Average no. of students / IBC (2011)
Break down of students studying in IBCs in Malaysia:
75% host country 24% other countries
1% home country
25% :
Malaysia’s world market share of students in IBC
Source: OBHE 2012
Current status
Current status
Mode 4:
Presence of natural persons No. of international academic staff
in Malaysian HEIs (2007-2010)
Source: Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE)
P S P T N
21
Project output: Policy derived from 6 core sections
Student
mobility
Internationalisation
Policy
Staff
mobility
Academic
programmes
Research and
development
Governance
and Autonomy
Social integration and
community engagement 1. Enabling
2. Inclusive
3. Operational
Features of the
policy?
Covering critical aspects of internationalisation for
Malaysian higher education for 2011-2020
(Excerpt, presentation to Heads of Dept, MOHE, 22 April 2011)
P S P T N Internationalisation Policy for Higher Education, Malaysia
• 3 expected outcomes: –Increase growth of international students and staff –Increase inbound and outbound mobility of
students and staff –Increase positive experiences of international
students
• 3 policy statements with action steps, responsibility, and measurables outlined
22
(Excerpt, presentation to Heads of Dept, MOHE, 22 April 2011)
Mode 2:
Consumption abroad
Issues and prospects?
The Malaysian HE system have come to acknowledge the importance in
managing student experience in the country in light of increasing
international student enrolment.
Lessons learnt from international education management
(which the HE system is gradually adapting):
1. Easy access to information for students
2. Strategies on geographic recruitment choices in sustainable stream of international student recruitment
3. Intelligence unit for information dissemination on international education
4. Efficient immigration and review of entrance procedures with quick response time in processing, feedback, and appeal
5. Assistance in selection and application of academic programmes / institutions
Conclusion
National economic development
Human capital development
Positioning Malaysian higher education
internationally
Relevance to regional development
Students at the heart of higher education
development
Education System
Primary
Education
Secondary
Education
Pre-school 3-6 yrs Informal, mostly Private owned
7-12 yrs (Public Exam at yr-12)
National (in Malay) vs. Chinese/Indian
•13-15 yrs -Lower 2nd- PMR Public Exam in Malay
•16-17 yrs -Upper 2nd- SPM Public Exam in Malay
Post-Secondary Post-secondary Post-Secondary
• 2 yrs STPM (ie. HSC)
• 1 compulsory
General Studies + 3-4
other subjects
(Grade: A-F; 4.0-0)
Public & Free
Private & Charged
• 1 yr Matriculation
• 4 Subjects
(Grade: A-F; 4.0-
0)
• 1 yr A-Level etc.
• Local or oversea
• Private owned
In English
Education System (cont.)
Private University Public University International
Branch Campus • 20
• 5 Research
Universities (RU)
• 2 Semester / yr
• Sem-Sept &Sem-Feb
• Grade: A-E; 4.0-0
• Local Tuition Fee
+Accommodation:
USD1,000/yr
(Engineering Course)
• International Tuition
Fee
~USD3300 (Fee only)
Public & Free
Private & Charged
• 26 College
Universities
• 400+ Colleges
• Most of the
courses: USD6000-
10,000/yr (Fee
only)
• 7
• Fee varies
In English TERTIARY EDUCATION
General Structure of
Engineering Courses
1st Year: Basic Engineering Courses & Language, Social
Sciences
2nd Year: Relevant Disciplines of Engineering Courses
3th Year: Relevant Disciplines of Engineering Courses
Industrial Training (Mostly 3 months; varies with courses
10wk/6mths)
4th Year: Relevant Disciplines of Engineering Courses;
Research Project, Design Group Project
* Every student is assigned an Academic Advisor throughout the studies
Education System (cont.)
Master Course(Taught
course + short dissertation:
1yr)
Public & Free
Private & Charged
In English PUBLIC POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION
Master Course (Full
Research): 1-2 yrs
•Fee (only) Sponsored by
Government for local
students
•Some Scholarship for
Outstanding International
students
PhD Study
(3 yrs)
•Full Scholarship for local
•Some Scholarship for
Outstanding International
students
1st Class Student
fast-track
Accreditation
EAC (Engineering Accreditation Council) Malaysia
(2/3/5 yrs approval) for Engineering Courses
Washington Accord Recognition
MQA (Malaysian Quality Assurance)
Acknowledgements
Prof. Dr. Mohd Ismail Abd Aziz, Director, Office of International
Affairs, UTM
Ms. Doria Abdullah, PhD Student, Internationalization Studies
THANK YOU
TERIMA KASIH
http://www.utm.my/
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
谢谢