Meeting of minds: Prof Noor Azuan with Wu at the Education Ministry in Beijing.
PETALING JAYA: Universiti Malaya (UM) will be setting up its first overseas branch campus and it’s going to be in China.
Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman, vice-chancellor of the country’s oldest and highest ranked varsity, told Sunday Star that the branch campus will be in Shandong.
“This will also be the first branch campus of a public Malaysian university in China.
“We are very excited as discussions have started and if all goes well, the branch campus will open next year.
“I met with Shandong province vice-governor Zhang Haibo recently and we expect things to progress smoothly,” he said, adding that Shandong was chosen as it is one of the top three Chinese provinces with the highest gross domestic product last year.
The province is projected to experience steady growth in the coming years.
The Shandong provincial government has also committed to supporting the establishment of the UM branch campus financially and through infrastructure development, he said.
Prof Noor Azuan said having a branch campus in China allows the varsity to leverage the country’s economic and technological strengths.
During a recent visit to China, Prof Noor Azuan had engaged with top institutions and government leaders, including the country’s Deputy Education Minister Wu Yan and Peking University president Prof Gong Qihuang.
“The setting up of a branch campus in China isn’t just about expanding academic footprints.
“It’s about building bridges between cultures, fostering innovation and creating lifelong opportunities for both students and researchers,” he said.
Prof Noor Azuan added that by deepening Malaysia-China educational ties, UM is championing an inclusive, knowledge-driven future that benefits both nations and the world at large.
“With the backing of China’s Education Ministry through these transformative efforts, the stage is set for deeper collaboration in research, innovation and intellectual exchange.
“This momentum reflects Malaysia’s commitment to elevating education standards and fostering global partnerships that will empower future generations,” he said.
A Foundation Programme at Peking University and the setting up of the Chinese Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE)-UM Centre at Beijing and Kuala Lumpur are also in the works, Prof Noor Azuan added.
“My conversation with CSCSE director-general Wang Daquan revolved around harnessing digital technology and AI to enhance student screening processes.
“This will streamline Chinese student admissions, ensuring a seamless and high-quality selection process that will open doors for the brightest minds to study in Malaysia,” he said.
