China-Malaysia Bilateral Relations Crucial to Local Education Sector

August 30, 2018

How INTI International University & Colleges have been enjoying close bilateral relations with China and how it impacts the local education sector

 


(Left to Right) INTI International University’s Vice Chancellor Dr Joseph Lee posses with the signed Article of Association with Alibaba Group Vice President Brian Wong.

For many years, Malaysia has been committed towards developing the nation as a regional education hub in Southeast Asia, attracting students from neighbouring countries to pursue their studies closer to home rather than taking the traditional routes to the U.S., UK and Australia. Because of its affordability, usage of the English Language as a teaching medium, and cultural inclusiveness, Malaysia has been able to attract a large number of students from China – making them one of the top 10 countries that send students to pursue higher education in Malaysia, as of the year 2015. With recent developments expected to impact the future of China-Malaysia bilateral relations, however, higher education providers may now need to re-address their offerings in remaining attractive to this significant international student population.

INTI International University & Colleges is among one of Malaysia’s established home-grown education institutions with a strong legacy of being a trusted education provider to students from China. A vast majority of Chinese students begin their education journey by enrolling in INTI’s Intensive English Programme, a series of structured classes and tests that help them strengthen their command of the language and prepare for global international standardised tests of English language proficiency such as IELTS. Once completed, many will then opt to pursue either a diploma or degree programme of their choice. Just like the choices offered to Malaysian students, they also get to select if they want to complete a foreign partner university programme, a qualification from INTI, or a dual award programme from both the foreign partner university and INTI. These options can open up a wealth of opportunities for these graduates, and a fraction of the cost it takes to complete it overseas.

 


Dr Joseph Lee, Vice Chancellor of INTI International University sharing his views on talent development needs for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Xian, China, which was attended by over 1,500 AEC industry leaders from China and the ASEAN region.

INTI also supports the Malaysian government’s initiative to be an active participant in the Belt and Road Initiative. An example is the Alibaba Business School’s recent establishment of the Global E-Commerce Talent (GET) Network, in collaboration with universities and training institutions from Malaysia and around the world. INTI is proud to be part of the founding members to focus on educating and equipping individuals with the skills needed for e-commerce success in the digital economy.

INTI is also part of the founding members of the Cloud Silk Road Consortium, which aims to improve connectivity in international communication and foster the internationalisation of China’s rapidly growing tech companies. The Cloud Silk Road Consortium is a part of the “Big Data Valley” agenda in GuiZhou, China, to develop key technologies including artificial intelligence, industrial internet, Big Data and cloud computing technologies. By building a digital Silk Road, it will enhance collaborative efforts between China and ASEAN, and INTI expects this consortium to offer great opportunities of growth to both students and the institution as a whole.

 


Dr Joseph Lee, Vice Chancellor of INTI International University (third from left) stands alongside other signatories of the Cloud Silk Road Consortium.

INTI International University is among the first private universities in the country to collaborate with Glodon, a China-based company that owns an acclaimed industrial software system, Cubicost, that is widely used among construction industry players in Malaysia, including the Malaysian Ministry of Works (Kementerian Kerja Raya or KKR). INTI was recently acknowledged by Glodon as the nation’s education leader by incorporating the software into its curriculum – the proof is in the pudding as an agreement was recently signed for INTI to be the sole training partner of Glodon Malaysia and to provide competency-based training to industry practitioners, as well as members of academia beginning September 2018. The agreement was the highlight of Glodon’s 8th AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) Industry Summit in Xian, China, where INTI International University’s Vice Chancellor, Dr Joseph Lee also shared his views on talent development needs for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

“Malaysia’s relationship with China is one that is precious and has been centuries in the making,” shared Dr Joseph. “It also helps that the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) president Tan Yew Sing, is also one of the esteemed founders of INTI and he has shared that China’s remarkable rapid growth is what we all need to learn from. We look forward to many more years to come to continue our partnership with China and to empower Chinese students with our quality education, for bright career prospects.”