MALAYSIA is rolling out new measures to strengthen its position as a regional higher education hub, including a centralised admissions system for international students and a new 10-year roadmap for the sector.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said the upcoming Higher Education Plan and an updated Internationalisation Policy would guide universities as they compete for global talent.
“We are putting together the Malaysia University Centralised Admissions System to improve efficiency, accessibility, transparency and competitiveness in attracting international students,” he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Mustapha said the ministry would also streamline application processing through Education Malaysia Global Services and strengthen International Student Offices in every university as one-stop centres for welfare, housing, health and cultural activities.
He said promotional efforts through Education Malaysia offices abroad were being intensified, particularly in West Asia, Africa and South Asia.
He added that Malaysia’s improved performance in global rankings, including the QS rankings, was already drawing increased interest from international students.
Mustapha was responding to Lee Chuan How (PH–Ipoh Timor), who had asked how the government intended to ensure that the rise in international student numbers enhanced academic quality, research output, campus safety and accreditation – without overwhelming university resources or limiting opportunities for locals.
Mustapha stressed that the government’s priority remained unchanged.
“Our focus will always be on our children – Malaysian students. That is not something we will compromise.”
