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Malaysia to recalibrate its strategy as 200k int’l student target by 2020 looks unlikely

Malaysia is calling for its public and private universities to work together to attract international students after it seems increasingly clear the country is likely miss its target of reaching 200,000 by 2020.

Around 91,000 international students were studying in Malaysia in June 2014, which the government was hoping to more than double by 2020. Photo: Pixabay

If the target is reached, revenue from international students is expected to generate 15.6 billion Malaysian Ringgit

According to media reports, Malaysia was hosting 127,583 international students as of March – 70% of which were in private higher education institutions.

“Our international numbers have been flat in the last couple of years”

In 2019, 30,341 international students were enrolled at public higher education institutes, statistics show.

Speaking at a Ministry of Education event, Mohd Ghazali Abas education ministry secretary-general warned that stakeholders, private and public institutions needed to work together if the country is to meet its aim.

“By strategically synergising the internationalisation of activities, we can improve our institutional capacity in providing high quality and adequate support services to our main customer, the international student,” Mohd Ghazali said.

Speaking with The PIE News, Perry Hobson, Sunway University‘s PVC for Global Engagement, noted that the institution is seeking to grow its international cohort, which currently stands at around 7,500 degree and diploma students – approximately  12% of its students.

“I don’t think the country will meet its targets given the issues and problems that the country is facing with a poorly its co-ordinated approach – which was highlighted in the recent seminar the MoE ran.

“Our international numbers have been flat in the last couple of years, and we would very much like to see them grow further – ideally between 20-30%,” he said.

Hobson, who was also chairing the opening panel session at the ‘Internationalisation of Higher Education Seminar’ in Putrajaya where the secretary-general was speaking, explained that with a number of other universities Sunway is actively engaging with the MoE to “identify the issues, problems and gaps that are preventing Malaysia from reaching its potential”.

“While it’s pleasing to see and work with the enthusiastic team in the Ministry of Education (HE), the reality in Malaysia seems to be that the MoE has little sway over the workings of the other government departments,” Hobson stated.

These departments also seem to lack coordination, he said, citing bureaucracy and identification paper issues.

“Immigration insists it has to endorse the student passports and visa after arrival at the university, which means students have to surrender them.

“But, technically it’s illegal not to be in possession of your passport and so the police can then arrest a student and hold them without charge for 14-days,” Hobson added.

Some police officers also claim that the student ‘i-kad’, a identity card for international students issued by the Immigration Department of Malaysia through Education Malaysia Global Services since 2014, is not an official document, resulting in arrests.

One Nigerian PhD student died in custody after his arrest, resulting in questions around racial profiling arising.

“Is this part of a pattern?” Hobson asked. “Well, the Namibian High Commissioner also recently made headlines about treatment of her nephew at the airport.”

The University of Wollongong global enterprises managing director and group CEO Marisa Mastroianni noted that the institution is not working with other universities to strategically recruit students, however it aims to “highlight Malaysia as an internationally recognised education hub”.

“UOW is committed to helping Malaysia reach its target in 2020,” she explained.

“Universities will need to be agile and adaptable in their academic approach to ensure the curriculum remains relevant in an ever-changing economy. The curriculum must be relevant to the local market, but also translatable so that students have the experience required for global employment opportunities.

“It needs to be delivered dynamically and flexibly to attract students who are already busy with their professional pursuits.”

Additionally, the government seems to be giving an optimistic spin on next year’s aims.

If Malaysia does reach its target of hosting 200,000 international students by the year 2020, the secretary-general announced that revenue from international students is expected to generate 15.6 billion Malaysian Ringgit (£3bn).

“Given the rising cost of education and other related costs at 10% per annum, this sector is expected to generate RM15.6 billion when we hit our target of 200,000 international students by the year 2020,” Mohd Ghazali said according to the Malay Mail.

The average expenditure of an overseas student in Malaysia is about RM46,000 (£9,944) per year. According to the news report, international students contribute an average of RM7.2bn (£1.4bn) to Malaysia per year via tuition fees and other living expenses.

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3 Responses to Malaysia to recalibrate its strategy as 200k int’l student target by 2020 looks unlikely

  1. Coordination between MoE and immigration department is very crucial. In addition to that some of the locals, our Malaysian hosts are not foreigner friendly, especially if the foreigner is non- European or not white.
    This situation makes some of the international students feel unwelcome.

    That is not all. Upon completion of their studies, International students are not given some months to stay in preparation of leaving the country. It appears like the students are driven away as their students pass are not extended. As a result the students have to rush to get themselves ready and leave the country and this is bound to leave a scar in their memory of Malaysia.

    The institutions have a duty upon themselves to educate their international students on immigration matters, life in a Malaysian society and by so doing willl minimize the tension the students have to go through.

    The students themselves have to comport themselves and carry themselves well as ambassadors of their countries. There are cases where international students got involved in crimes and this has made the immigration to take tougher measures on issuance of students visa.

    • I agree that the student were made to feel being driven away at the end of their studies. It does not leave a good taste at the end of great (hopefully) journey. There should be some period of times, maybe 3 to 6 months for them to settle things properly before they have to leave. It is their choice. Just a nice pleasant parting gift. After all they have been students through out the years. Malaysian gov should consider this seriously.

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