UK-Malaysia Transnational Education Partnerships – the next 30 years

Malaysia, with over 41,000 students in 2022-2023, is one of the most important transnational educations (TNE) markets for the UK. Private Malaysian universities and colleges specifically have a long history of partnering with UK institutions to offer UK qualifications in Malaysia. These are either delivered entirely within the country or with students completing the final part of their course in the UK.  The UK also has the largest number of branch campuses in Malaysia compared to any other country.    

Today, transnational education is a very prominent and unique feature of Malaysia’s education landscape. The UK and Malaysia’s track record in TNE (and wider) collaborations has been impressive, with UK-Malaysia TNE collaborations growing from strength to strength since the launch of the first UK-Malaysia TNE Joint Programme nearly thirty years ago.

However, in recent years we have seen a decline in the number of Malaysian students pursuing UK higher education both overseas and in-country TNE for reasons that include slowing economic growth, demographic changes, and the rise of new opportunities locally as well as from other study destinations. There has also been a sluggish trend in progressing current partnerships beyond status quo, and in driving new higher education collaborations between the two countries, with a shift in UK interest and priority focus towards other markets such as China, India and other developing markets in the SEA region. 

Meanwhile, Malaysia has also been working to improve its higher education sector, with ambitions to become a leading international education hub in the region. Malaysia has made significant strides in developing its higher education sector, with a focus on enhancing research capabilities, promoting innovation, and expanding access to quality education. The top 5 public universities in Malaysia are now all ranked in the 2025 QS World University Rankings Top 200.

Malaysia’s strategic location, ease of doing business, political stability, relatively affordable cost of living, and rich geography and culture-- coupled with the opportunity for students to study at private or public universities with improving global rankings-- have made it a desirable study destination for international students, particularly those from Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Inbound mobility from East Asia to Malaysia alone surged by 31 per cent per year between 2019 and 2022.  This compares with single-digit growth rates in the prior decade. 

Malaysia’s macro environment is also supporting the country’s growth as a regional education hub. Malaysia’s foreign policy safeguards its position as a welcoming destination for investments and people, more so in a time of heightened geopolitical tensions worldwide. The government’s drive to boost inward foreign investment is bearing fruit and is expected to lead to growth in business and employment over the medium term, thereby providing more opportunities for universities to enhance industry engagement and collaboration. With employability at the forefront of students’ priorities, increased opportunities for internships and training with global companies will boost Malaysia’s position as a study destination. Elsewhere, with safety remaining a key concern of students, Malaysia’s balanced approach to both the East and West, as well as its unique melting pot of diverse races and cultures, will make it a more attractive education hub.

Successful TNE partnerships are ones which are progressive in their approaches starting with capacity building of their local staff to investing in collaborative academic development, research and strategic investment for the mutual benefit of both the foreign and local partner.   They also enable partners to leverage and engage local government, cities, and regional partners to catalyse opportunities in graduate employability and entrepreneurship, research, and widening participations.  Collaborative projects in areas such as environmental conservation, social entrepreneurship, and community outreach can empower students to become agents of positive change and contribute to building a more inclusive and sustainable society.

The UK’s strong links with Malaysia present an opportunity for the UK to use Malaysia as a testbed to explore new avenues of collaboration including moving from a bilateral to multi-lateral TNE set-up, bringing the best of UK, Malaysia and institutions from a third country and/or industries from the region. By pooling expertise and resources, such partnerships can address complex challenges, funding constraints and drive innovation.

With employability and entrepreneurship high on students‘ and the government‘s agenda,  ensuring that TNE collaborations incorporate the areas of innovation, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship can support the growth of startups, drive economic development, and create new opportunities for students and researchers. Incubators, accelerators, and innovation hubs can serve as platforms for fostering collaboration and turning ideas into viable products and services.

In addition, as the nature of work evolves in the digital age, UK-Malaysia TNE providers can work together to promote lifelong learning, upskilling, and reskilling initiatives. By offering flexible learning pathways, online courses, and vocational training programs, both countries can empower individuals to adapt to changing job market demands and thrive in the future economy.

More importantly, of course, the heart of TNE success lies with the students. As the partnership between the UK and Malaysia continues to grow and strengthen, it is essential that our programmes equip young people with the tools to examine and critically engage with the world around them, to challenge norms, to push forward academic thinking and to form the bedrock of people who understand both our countries and have the skills to take our bilateral relationship forward. 

As both UK and Malaysia continue to develop our Higher Education offers, there are still lots to share and learn from each other, and for new ideas and initiatives in TNE.  Transnational education is a cornerstone of UK-Malaysia education relationship and is a key pillar to grow the scope and depth of our education relationship. 

In conclusion, the next 30 years hold great promise for UK-Malaysia transnational education partnerships. By harnessing the power of education to inspire, innovate, and transform lives, both countries can create a brighter future for their citizens and make a lasting impact on the global stage. 

At the upcoming Transnational Education Conference 2024, Jazreel Goh will lead a breakout session titled "Growing and expanding Transnational Education mature markets: Strategies, Successes and Learnings " She will be joined by an expert panel consisting of Prof. Mushtak Al-Atabi, Provost, Heriot-Watt University, Malaysia; Kelly Koh, CEO, Ngee Ann Academy, Singapore; and Gary Rivers, Deputy Dean, SII-DUFE, China. Together, they will share their insights on navigating and thriving in mature TNE markets. Don't miss the opportunity to connect with Jazreel and other experts in the field—secure your spot at this essential session.