INTI International University & Colleges has today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, to offer quality, affordable Australian degree programmes to students studying in Malaysia. The signing ceremony was presided over by Mr Michael Growder, Acting High Commissioner, Australian High Commission to Malaysia, and Yang Berusaha Dr. Zubaidah binti Aman, Director of Governance for Private Higher Education Institutions, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Malaysia.
(Left to Right) Mr Michael Growder, Acting High Commissioner, Australian High Commission to Malaysia, Ms Tan Lin Nah, acting Chief Executive Officer of INTI International University & Colleges, Yang Berusaha Dr. Zubaidah binti Aman, Director of Governance for Private Higher Education Institutions, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Malaysia and Professor Duncan Bentley, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of Swinburne University of Technology takes a group photo with their tokens of appreciation made in INTI International University’s Fabrication Lab.
Also in attendance were senior leaders from the two institutions including: Professor Duncan Bentley, Swinburne’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic); Professor John Wilson, Swinburne Sarawak’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer; Dr Bill Damachis, Swinburne’s Dean, Transnational Education; Ms Tan Lin Nah, INTI’s acting Chief Executive Officer; Timothy Johnson, INTI’s Senior Vice President, Marketing, Products & Partnerships; and Dr Jane Lim, Chief Executive of INTI International College Subang where Swinburne’s programmes will be piloted.
With an emphasis on graduate readiness to meet the needs of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0), the partnership leverages both institutions’ mutual commitment towards graduate employability, industry readiness, and innovative teaching and learning. Drawing on Swinburne’s 110 years’ of teaching excellence and INTI’s more than 450 industry partnerships, the collaboration will focus on modules and practical experiences building on IR4.0 competencies including: cybersecurity, data science, network design, data analytics, and fintech.
Tan Lin Nah, INTI’s acting Chief Executive Officer says, “We are pleased to work alongside Swinburne in offering programmes that will address the knowledge and competencies needed for IR4.0. With greater technological adoption by global organisations and increasing competition not only among human talents but also smart machines, today’s collaboration aims to prepare students to work alongside rapid digital transformation and to help them develop the skills needed to thrive in the 21st century workplace.”
Group photo of key representatives from the Australian High Commission to Malaysia, Swinburne University of Technology and INTI International University & Colleges.
Swinburne has an international reputation for quality research that connects science and technology with business and the community. The university was among the top three Victorian universities for student satisfaction by the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (2017), and also ranked among the world’s top 400 research-intensive universities by the prestigious Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2018.
In addition to academic excellence, Swinburne leverages an impressive network of industry links, which provides students with invaluable work experience opportunities. Through its close ties with industry, Swinburne has collaborated with industry representatives in shaping their curriculum, providing guest presenters, team projects and six to 12-month paid professional placements for students.
Professor Duncan Bentley, Swinburne’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), shares: “While academic excellence opens doors, today’s universities must focus on creating global professionals who are able to adapt to the rapid changes impacting organisations and communities. With technology driving transformation at every level of society, cross cultural competencies, digital literacies and adopting a transdisciplinary approach to problem solving are vital skillsets students must develop while still studying.”
He adds, “Swinburne has been operating in Malaysia via its Sarawak campus in Kuching delivering high quality undergraduate and postgraduate programs in partnership with the Sarawak State Government for nearly two decades. The collaboration between Swinburne and INTI will further build upon this ongoing strong partnership in Sarawak for the benefit of all parties. Where students stand to gain the most from this collaboration is in cultivating their cross-cultural experiences. This includes the enrichment of teaching and learning for both institutions through access to transnational resources, study trips, semester abroad programmes, as well as seamless transfer opportunities for both Malaysian and Australian students between Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Melbourne.
“Bringing students together from all teaching locations will expose them to different styles of education and enable them to work alongside individuals from diverse cultures early in their careers.”
Lin Nah adds, “Sharing an aligned focus for innovative learning, industry exposure and cross cultural experiences has provided a great foundation and direction for this collaboration, and how we will empower students to stand out from among their peers. Our mutual commitment towards graduate employability and continuous efforts with industry will play an instrumental part in addressing the skills that are needed for professionals to remain relevant in this age of machines.”
With 99% of INTI graduates securing jobs within six months of graduating, 91% earning salaries above the minimum market average, and 60% receiving job offers even before graduating, the partnership will offer a unique education pathway for young Malaysians to not only graduate with international qualifications, but also develop the competencies that will carry them into the IR4.0 and beyond.