FOR many Malaysian students, studying abroad is more than earning a degree — it’s a chance to gain global perspectives, skills, and networks.
Singapore, with its strategic location, proximity to Malaysia, and quality education institutions, has become a popular destination.
While students embark on this international journey, many eventually return home — bringing back more than just certificates.
SIM GE students who return to Malaysia are shaped by exposure to diverse cultures, international classmates and applied learning.
Bringing global skills home
Graduates who studied in Singapore often describe the experience as transformative.
One former SIM Global Education (SIM GE) student who pursued a business degree with RMIT University in Singapore recalled returning to Johor with a qualification and a new way of thinking — shaped by exposure to diverse cultures, international classmates and applied learning.
Such experiences reflect a broader trend. Malaysian students studying in Singapore develop competencies such as cross-cultural communication, adaptability and global business awareness — skills that Malaysian employers increasingly value.
When these graduates return home, they are well placed to translate global education into local impact.
SIM GE students who return to Malaysia are shaped by exposure to diverse cultures, international classmates and applied learning.
Returning Malaysians strengthening the workforce
In recent years, Malaysia has stepped up efforts to reach out to its diaspora.
TalentCorp, the national talent agency, has played a key role in encouraging Malaysians abroad to return.
According to a recent article in The Star, over 10,000 Malaysians working abroad have applied to return through TalentCorp initiatives, with several thousand already back at work in Malaysia.
Since the launch of the Returning Expert Programme in 2011, TalentCorp reports that more than 6,000 professionals have returned under the programme.
These returning Malaysians contribute directly to the local workforce and bring expertise that can stimulate growth across sectors — a core element of “Brain Gain Malaysia.”
Given the long-standing concern about “brain drain”, such returns are vital.
According to TalentCorp, around 1.86 million Malaysians have been living abroad over the past decades.
Of these, over 1.1 million reside in Singapore. This makes the return of skilled Malaysians even more significant.
By bringing back talent and skills, returning Malaysians contribute to national development.
They enrich the domestic talent pool and support innovation, reinforcing the role of returning Malaysians in strengthening the local workforce.
SIM GE prepares students to be academically strong and job-ready through industry-linked learning, digital career tools and internationally recognised degree pathways.
SIM GE preparing graduates for employability
Educational institutions such as SIM GE play a crucial role in preparing students not only academically, but also professionally.
Beyond traditional coursework, SIM GE enhances career readiness and students’ confidence through initiatives including internship opportunities, industry-linked projects, career development workshops and international pathway degree programmes.
Complementing these efforts, SIM GE’s CareerSense App leverages artificial intelligence to match students’ profiles, skills and interests with suitable job fields, enabling more informed career decisions and strengthening employability outcomes upon graduation.
Micro-credentials and lifelong learning options further encourage continuous skills development, helping graduates remain adaptable in a fast-evolving job market.
This holistic approach aligns with the growing demand in Malaysia for graduates who are academically qualified and job-ready — reflecting the impact of global education applied locally.
In addition, international university partnerships which include collaborations with institutions in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia, offer students the opportunity to earn internationally recognised degrees while studying close to home.
Such international exposure enhances graduates’ competitiveness, particularly for roles that require cross-border perspectives and global standards.
From global education to local impact
Graduate experiences show how studying in Singapore can make a meaningful difference back home. One such example is Lam Kar Yee, a former SIM student:
“My time studying at SIM in Singapore shaped both my mindset and career journey. Learning in an international environment helped me develop independence, resilience and adaptability, while gaining practical, real-world exposure beyond the classroom,” Lam says..
“After graduating and working in Singapore for several years, I felt well prepared to return to Malaysia and start my own business.
“The global perspectives, applied learning and strong foundation I gained at SIM continue to guide my decisions as an entrepreneur, allowing me to apply international best practices while building a business at home,” she adds.
Her experience highlights an important reality — studying abroad does not necessarily lead to brain drain.
Instead, graduates like Lam are returning home with skills, perspectives and global standards that strengthen Malaysia’s workforce.
Their journeys transform education into tangible impact, demonstrating how global learning can directly benefit the local economy and how global education, when brought home, helps build a stronger future for Malaysia.
