News and Opportunities
Education and training system undergoing transformation
23 Nov 2012
Austrade’s third Australia-Malaysia Education Forum explored plans to reform Malaysia’s education system, following the Malaysian Government’s identification of the education sector as a key National Key Result Area (NKRA) under the national Government Transformation Programme (GTP).
The Education Forum, held in Kuala Lumpur on 12 October, was attended by over 40 Australian education representatives and 80 Malaysian education stakeholders, including representatives from government, industry, education agencies and Malaysian education institutions.
An initiative under Austrade’s Workforce Skills Development Market Initiative in ASEAN, the forum involved Austrade, together with Australian Education International (AEI) and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), providing updates for Australian institutions on Australia’s engagement the local education sector. Presentations were also provided by the Performance Management Delivery Unit (PEMANDU), of Malaysia’s Ministry of Education and Talent Corporation, about the National Education Blueprint, Malaysia’s 2013 budget and future trends and programs set to transform the education environment in Malaysia.
Malaysia’s recent spotlight on education and impetus for change has seen the government release a National Education Blueprint, which outlines the government’s
12-year program to transform the education sector by 2025.
In the journey to transform Malaysia’s education sector, current gaps in the market provide Australian institutions with possibilities to capitalise on emerging opportunities. These may include:
- Upskilling of teachers through teacher training in English, with the aim of having at least one proficient English teacher in every class by 2025.
- Strategic collaboration and partnerships with local institutions in the area of vocational education, with the Malaysian Government proposing a collaboration model between public and private vocational colleges. Vocational skills are highly required in the areas of oil and gas, renewable energy, palm oil production, agriculture, tourism, electronic and electrical, and manufacturing and construction-related skills (eg – mechanical, electrical, fitters, and scaffolding).
- Under the Education National Key Economic Area (NKEA), 16 entry point projects have been identified, ranging from early child care, hospitality, Islamic finance, advanced engineering to private skills training.
- PEMANDU has a new, strong focus on improving special needs education. Consultations are currently underway between government, private sector operators, non-government organisations and education institutions, to develop a blueprint covering areas such as assessment and early intervention, awareness and networks, public-private partnerships and teacher training and certification.
The engagement of Australian education institutions in Malaysia has transitioned beyond student recruitment, to include opportunities for:
- collaborative research
- faculty and student exchanges
- joint PhD programs
- transnational delivery of vocational education and training.
Australia remains the preferred overseas destination for Malaysian students. Over 20 000 students are enrolled in education programs in Australia, and almost the same amount of students are enrolled in Australian education and training programs delivered in Malaysia.
For more information, contact Ms Patricia Lee, Senior Business Development Manager, Austrade Kuala Lumpur, or Mr Peter Mackey, Education Commissioner, Austrade Singapore.