Tell us about the key aims of the British Council in Malaysia.

The key aim is to connect local, regional or even global education agendas and issues and ensure that we bring the strengths of the UK and also the strengths of Malaysia together and look at initiatives where both countries can work together.

Our work in higher education stems three areas. The first is connecting policies, the second is connecting our people – ensuring that there are exchange opportunities for students and academics. The third is connecting our institutions, in particular in terms of supporting research, initiatives such as transnational education and also supporting agendas such as women in leadership in higher education.

What do you like most about your job?

The people. I love the fact that I get to meet institutions, government and students and industries. It’s almost like 360 degrees. You meet all sorts of people and in any one day you get to do that. I love it.

What was your first job in education?

My first job in education was as a lecturer at the National University in Malaysia. I was teaching linguistics.

Which languages do you know or are you currently learning?

Languages that I know are English, Malay, Mandarin, Japanese. I speak a bit of German as well. If I could instantly learn one language, it would be French.

What is the biggest challenge to your profession?

The biggest opportunity, rather than challenge, for my industry is the fact that in a digital future – and we are living in an increasingly digital future – I think humanity, trust and cross-cultural communication are an even greater premium. I find that what I’m doing now, in terms of my role and bringing people together, those things matter even more.

“There is talent here in Malaysia and there are experienced practitioners”

What keeps you awake at night?

Engaging with and understanding young people. I was born in the 70s and I really want to understand what’s the best way to reach out to young people, and what’s the best way to engage and connect young people from both the UK and Malaysia – to create more opportunities together. 

How do you see UK-Malaysia higher education links evolving?

There is the opportunity for the UK and Malaysia to do more by not just looking at our past successes but to look where the new areas of partnerships and collaboration are, to set new benchmarks and new milestones like we did 30 years ago with TNE and branch campuses. There is talent here in Malaysia and there are experienced practitioners.

We should use this opportunity with the UK being a new dialogue partner with ASEAN to really leverage this opportunity to think about where we can work together, whether that’s in AI, talent development or getting more British students to come here to engage with industries and with young people from this region.

I think that maybe we have been a bit complacent in the past because both countries have been successful and we should use this opportunity to trigger some thinking and innovation and to push us to a new growth-trajectory.