Education to Malaysia

(Last updated: 13 Jul 2007)

Trends and opportunities

The market

Australia is one of the most popular overseas education and training destinations for Malaysian students. Currently, there are approximately 25,000 Malaysians pursuing Australian programs.

While Malaysians continue to pursue overseas education, there is also an increasing demand for education and training in Malaysia. Australia is well placed to deliver education programs locally. Recent developments are providing opportunities for Australian institutions to establish themselves in Malaysia:

• Demand for entry into local universities outstrips the number of places available
• The government’s aim is to provide more higher education opportunities for Malaysians
• Malaysia’s efforts to further position itself as a regional education hub

The Malaysian Government has emphasised a commitment to create a knowledge-based society that focuses on information communications technology, education and the retraining of workers.

Under the Third Outline Perspective Plan 2001-2010 (OPP3), the government renewed its commitment to increase investment in education. OPP3 provides an insight into the Government’s Eighth and Ninth Malaysia Plans, which allocate funding for specific policies and initiatives.

Under the Multimedia Super Corridor, smart schools are one of the flagship applications. This initiative responds to the government’s vision to create a technologically literate workforce. Smart schools will apply information technology to various aspects of schooling such as teaching, learning, staff training and management.

The government’s aim of having at least one university in every state is now possible after the Cabinet’s approval to set up four new technology-based institutions of higher learning. Construction of each institution under the Eighth Malaysia Plan will cost between RM600 million and RM1 billion.

There is growth potential for electronic learning (e-learning) in Malaysia. In January 2000, the Ministry of Education approved the registration of Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UNITAR), the first virtual university in the country. UNITAR is a university where students and faculty members engage in learning and teaching activities through the mixed use of face-to-face, online and multimedia environments. Although e-learning was initially developed for primary and secondary students, it is now widely used for individuals who intend to pursue further education.

MyETutor.com and Cikgu.Net are two examples of educational portals in Malaysia:

• www.MyETutor.com has secured Multimedia Super Corridor status, enabling it to enjoy multimedia specific capabilities, technologies, infrastructure, legislation, policies and systems for competitive advantages. MyETutor.com provides an interactive tutoring environment based on the national school syllabus
• Cikgu.Net.my's objective is to support educators in taking up the challenges of e-learning, including the provision of teaching and learning resources

Opportunities

Opportunities for Australia in the Malaysian education sector include:

• Provision of post-graduate studies, particularly in science, technology, communications and engineering, to meet the accelerated industrial development needs of Malaysia
• Twinning programs and franchising of degrees
• Joint research, project management and consultancy services including the establishment of education and training institutions
• Provision of distance learning programs, which will open up new areas for training and development
• Development of curriculum and facilities for technical and vocational education to make training more responsive to industry needs
• ‘Train the trainer’ programs to increase the number and quality of trainers and instructors

Tariffs, regulations and customs

Industry standards

The Ministry of Education regulates education in Malaysia. The Ministry is responsible for the management of the comprehensive education system in Malaysia from primary to university, regulates syllabuses, and controls national examinations. In general, they supervise the development of education in the country. Private education institutions are also allowed, subject to the Ministry’s approval, and provided they conform to the Ministry’s requirements.

The Education Act 1996 provides a framework for the national system of education, curriculum and common examinations. Related Acts largely cater for the higher education sector and address issues such as the:

• Corporatisation of local universities
• Establishment of branch campuses of foreign universities
• Conversion of colleges into universities
• Regulation of standards and quality of private institutions
  

The Foreign Investment Committee formulates policy guidelines on foreign investment in all sectors of the economy. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry is also actively involved in the promotion of international trade in Malaysia.

More information

Private education institutions will need to contact the Ministry of Education and the National Accreditation Board for more information on the establishment of private education institutions, approval of courses and accreditation in Malaysia.

Marketing your products and services

Market entry

Establishing a presence in conjunction with Malaysian education partners is the basis for market entry. Whether it is an agency or twinning arrangement, relationship building is a key factor to market entry. A Malaysian partner will naturally have a better understanding of the local business practices and also, will have a ready network of contacts with the industry and regulatory authorities.

To establish or increase your profile in Malaysia, you should consider:

• Visiting Malaysia regularly
• Participating in major education exhibitions
• Securing a local representative, eg. an education agent
• Following up on previous visits (whether through telephone, email or faxes)
• Learning about the cultural issues in Malaysia
• Preparing information packs about your company, services and courses offered

When making appointments in Malaysia, it is best to give at least two weeks advance notice. Securing appointments with ministerial officials may require a longer notice period, as many often travel interstate or overseas to visit exhibitions or meet with state-level education officials.

Links and industry contacts

Education–related resources

Multimedia Super Corridor - www.msc.com.my
Smart schools -  www.ppk.kpm.my/smartschools
MyETutor.com - www.myetutor.com
Cikgu.Net - http://cikgu.net.my

Government, business and trade resources for Malaysia

Eighth Malaysia Plan (8MP) - www.epu.jpm.my/Bi/dev_plan/EighthMP/frontrm8.html
Third Outline Perspective Plan 2001-2010 (OPP3) - www.epu.jpm.my/Bi/dev_plan/opp3/opp3.htm

Ministry of Education - www.moe.gov.my
Bahagian Dasar Dan Pengurusan Korporat (Policy and Corporate Administration Division)
Level 7, Block J (North)
Pusat Bandar Damansara
Kementerian Pendidikan
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: (60 3) 258 3619
Fax: (60 3) 255 8718

Jabatan Pendidikan Swasta (Private Education Department)
Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (Ministry of Education)
Level 1, Block K
Pusat Bandar Damansara
50604 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: (60 3) 258 3674
Fax: (60 3) 253 5463
Email: jps@jps.moe.gov.my

Malaysian Australian Alumni Council (MAAC)
73 Jalan 20/7
46300 Selangor Darul Ehsan
Malaysia
Tel: (60 3) 7877 1071
Fax: (60 3) 7875 7226

Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) - www.miti.gov.my
Block 10, Government Offices Complex, Jalan Duta
50622 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: (60 3) 6201 0033 / 8044
Fax: (60 3) 6203 1303
Email: mitiweb@miti.gov.my

Economic Planning Unit - www.epu.jpm.my/epu-mservis-fico.html
The Secretary
Foreign Investment Commitee (F.I.C)
Block B5, Level -1
Federal Government Aministrative Centre
62502 Putrajaya
Malaysia
Tel: (60 3) 8888 2916
Fax: (60 3) 8888 3917

Australian resources

Australian Education International (AEI) - http://aei.detya.gov.au
International, Analysis and Evaluation Division
Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs
GPO Box 9880
Canberra City ACT 2601
Australia
Enquiry Hotline: 1800 659 579
Fax: (02) 6240 7111
Email: aei@detya.gov.au