PETALING JAYA: Malaysia ranks third globally for international student growth among the world's "Big 14" leading study destinations.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said Malaysia had recorded 70% growth in international student numbers over five years, and a 16% increase in annual growth within the "Big 14" group.
"Malaysia is now counted among the world's 14 leading student destinations, alongside countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada," he said on Facebook on Thursday (Nov 5).
"We offer quality higher education at an affordable cost, this is the strength of Malaysia that is increasingly gaining global attention.
"Who would have thought that Malaysia is now on par with the world's top education powers."
He added that the country's ambition was to become a destination where international students could pursue knowledge, rather than solely sending Malaysian students overseas for their education.
"For me, this achievement is not just about numbers or rankings, it is a recognition of our university's capabilities, the quality of our academies, the strength of our higher education ecosystem, and the confidence of the international community in Malaysia," he said.
The "Big 14" leading study destinations are the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Turkey, South Korea, Japan, China, Malaysia and Russia.
