UKM branches out into Qatar

A new chapter: Noraini visiting the construction site of the UKM Qatar branch campus in Doha.

ESTABLISHING a foreign branch campus will bolster Malaysia’s higher education standards.

This was the idea Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) had in mind when it decided to open a branch campus in Doha, Qatar, making it the first Malaysian public university to do so.

Its Center for Shaping Advanced and Professional Education (UKM Shape) director Prof Datuk Dr Muhammad Hussin said the decision is a win-win for the varsity.

“It will enable us to enrol more international students and forge stronger ties with the Qatari government.

“This is also a way of boosting higher education standards by attracting more international students,” he told StarEdu.

In addition to gaining this educational benefit, he said UKM aims to explore consultancy and research areas in the Middle Eastern country, as well as extend the internationalisation of its programmes to Gulf countries through its Qatar branch.

In a statement on May 20, the Higher Education Ministry said the first intake of students would start in October this year.

UKM signed a memorandum of agreement in Doha with The Regional Group of Qatar to expand its campus overseas, the ministry said, adding that the latter is a company that manages property development, asset management, agriculture, stock investment and engineering consulting services in Qatar.

“We are looking at offering four undergraduate programmes with 25 students per programme.

“We are estimating the total number of enrolment to be around 100 students as a start.

“The Regional Group of Qatar will be responsible to establish and provide to UKM, at its own costs and expenses, all services, facilities, premises, infrastructure, equipment and necessary materials.

“UKM, on the other hand, will focus on providing the education,” Prof Muhammad said, adding that the management of the UKM Qatar branch campus will be under the Group, including the collection of fees.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, who witnessed the signing ceremony in Doha, described it as a new chapter for Malaysian institutions of higher learning, in achieving higher levels of research and innovation, teaching and learning, and consulting and community development, despite facing challenges brought on by the Covid-19 outbreak.

“I am happy that UKM has contributed to this achievement and has taken the next step to expand its internationalisation involvement by expanding its wings to Qatar,” she said in the statement. — By SANDHYA MENON