The futuristic UOW Malaysia KDU Penang University College campus in Batu Kawan.
A DYNAMIC study experience awaits Malaysian and international students at UOW Malaysia KDU Penang University College’s futuristic new campus in Batu Kawan.
Sprawling over four hectares, it has 23 classrooms, two modern lecture theatres, two smart classrooms, two examination halls, a co-study lab, seven computer labs, two science labs, an internet-of-things lab and hospitality training suites.
The learning experience will also be enhanced by an expansive library, a design studio, a technical drafting studio and a 3D animation studio.
Students can also enjoy a football field, a gymnasium and plenty of open spaces.
The campus provides industry- relevant programmes from foundation to postgraduate level in various disciplines.
These include 1+3, 2+2 and 3+1 study models that allowed students to complete the entire programme or parts of it in Malaysia, and the rest in Australia at the University of Wollongong (UOW) campuses in New South Wales.
They also have the option to study at any of UOW’s other global campuses in Dubai, Hong Kong or China for one semester or join two-week mobility programmes.
Chow (right) receiving a memento from Davidson during the launch of the UOW Malaysia KDU Penang University College campus in Batu Kawan. With them is Cornish.
UOW vice-chancellor Prof Patricia M. Davidson said these arrangements were possible because UOW Malaysia KDU was part of a global network of campuses, students, graduates and academics.
The institution also has collaborations with over 400 universities in 45 countries for research, teaching, credit transfer arrangements and studies abroad as well as exchange and offshore programmes.
“Throughout its 60-year history, UOW has built an international reputation for world-class research and exceptional teaching,” said Davidson at the campus launch.
“Our location in the Batu Kawan Industrial Park with over 30 multinational corporations and high-tech local companies as neighbours gives us an advantage.
“We envisage this campus, through collaborations, becoming a focal point of teaching, research and knowledge transfer. This will elevate Penang’s human capital for the 4th industrial revolution and beyond.”
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was at the launch, expected many more manufacturing companies setting up operations in the area.
“A skilled talent pool is imperative to support the growth of strategic industries in the state.
“Collaborations between universities and industries are the best way to pass on knowledge to future generations,” he added.
UOW Malaysia board chairman Noel Cornish said by working together, stakeholders could create solutions that improved education.
“We want to resolve the skills mismatch between industry and academia. This will significantly improve graduate employability and give Penang an edge,” he said in his speech.
Following the launch, there was a panel session titled “Beyond Industrial Revolution 4.0 and Towards Sustainability”.
Guests including state government officials, and industry and corporate partners were later given a campus tour.
The new Batu Kawan campus caters to up to 3,500 students and is UOW Malaysia KDU’s second in Penang, with the other located in Anson Road in George Town.
UOW is renowned for its innovation and focus on producing career-ready graduates.
It is ranked 185th in the QS World University Rankings 2023, the 14th best modern university in the world in the QS Top 50 Under 50 Rankings 2021, and 23rd in the world by Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2021.
For details on programmes and intake dates, visit www.uowmkdu.edu.my
