BRITISH MALAYSIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Malaysian Industry Report 2018 / 2019
EDUCATION
ABOUT THE BRITISH MALAYSIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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stablished in 1963, the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) has been driven by the sole ordinance of advancing bilateral trade relations between the United Kingdom and Malaysia. Over the past five decades, the BMCC has been a catalyst in providing Malaysian-based businesses with networking and exposure, knowledge exchange and bilateral trading support services. Today, the BMCC has firmly rooted itself as one of Southeast Asia’s most prolific Chambers. The BMCC is appointed by the UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) to become their service delivery partner for British SME’s seeking to export or establish a presence in Malaysia. Embodied by dedicated sector specialists, the BMCC TRADE TEAM provide a range of customised services from market intelligence, business matching and event management to sourcing assistance of UK goods and services. The BMCC TRADE TEAM works with UK exporters focusing primarily on SMEs in offering bilateral trade assistance, serving principally as a one-stop platform providing a soft landing for UK firms in Malaysia through market research and knowledge exchange, legal and regulatory systems guidance, connecting clients or distributors, and risk management.
In Partnership With
This report serves as a preliminary introduction that highlights key features and factors relevant to the Professional Services sector in Malaysia. Information included in this report is the original work and property of the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) and its department the Trade Team and is subject to copyright. No illustrations, photographs, graphics or text included in this report should be copied, reproduced or shared without prior written consent of its owner. Whereas every effort has been made to ensure that the information given in this document is accurate, the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce nor its Departments (Trade Team) accept liability for any errors, omissions or misleading statements, and no warranty is given or responsibility accepted as to the standing of any individual, firm, company or other organisation mentioned. © British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Berhad 2018
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UNDERSTANDING MALAYSIA’S EDUCATION SECTOR Located in Southeast Asia, Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy consisting of two regions, Peninsular and East (Borneo) Malaysia, seperated by the South China Sea. Malaysia is known to be one of the most diversely congenial polyethnic and mutlti-cultural countries in the world. Population: 32 Million Ethnicities: Malay, Chinese, Indian Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) Ease of Doing Business: Rank 24 Average GDP Growth: 5 - 5.5% 2018 Education Budget Allocation: MYR 61.6 billion
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n 2015, public spending on education was 5% of Malaysia’s GDP. Under the national education system, the government provides 11 years of free primary and secondary education via a common national curriculum. Further education is subject to the individual’s academic performance and financial capability with school leavers choosing to continue their education in schools to obtain a pre-university qualification, or further their education at public or private tertiary or higher education institutions.
The Government has put in place numerous programmes and framework with the aim of becoming a development nation by 2020. This includes the 11th Malaysia Plan and National Transformation Policy. Under Malaysia’s Economic Transformation Plan (ETP), the economy is forecast to reach £266 billion by 2020. Education has been identified as one of the 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) in the ETP.
In 1991, the former Malaysian Prime Minister launched Vision 2020, the national agenda setting out the pathway for Malaysia to achieve a developed nation status by 2020. Transformasi Nasional 2050, or TN50 is an initiative to plan for the future of Malaysia in the period 2020 to 2050. The general goal for TN50 is for Malaysia to become a top 20 country in the world by the year 2050.
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PRE-SCHOOL CHILDCARE & EARLY YEARS This is a significant new growth education sector because of changes in the Government policy and increased spending. Pre-school education is now part of the national education system, with childcare enrolment (0-4 years) forecast to reach 25% by 2020.
SCHOOLS The Educational Development Master Plan (PIPP) provides a guideline to increase the quality of schools in Malaysia. From the higher education perspective, the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) accredits post-secondary and higher education programmes in Malaysia by implementing the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF).
TVET Technical and Vocational Education and Training Under the 11th Malaysia Plan, 60% of the 1.5 million jobs that will be created will require TVET-related skills. Meeting this demand will require Malaysia to increase its annual intake gradually from 164,000 in 2013 to 225,000 in 2020. However, the challenge is not just about numbers as industry feedback consistently reveals a gap between industry need in human capital and education. To prove the Government’s strong commitment to the implementation of TVET, RM 4.9 billion has recently been allocated through the 2018 Budget. All TVET institutions previously under 7 ministries will be rebranded as TVET Malaysia and placed under the Ministry of Human Resources.
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HIGHER EDUCATION Malaysia is fast becoming an ‘Educational Hub’ of the ASEAN region and is ranked the world’s 11th largest exporter of educational services. International students currently contribute approximately RM5.9 billion a year to the economy. The Ministry estimates this to rise to RM15.6 billion by 2020. As of Dec 31, 2016, there were 172,886 international students in higher education institutions, private and international schools, and language centres. In higher education alone, there are 132,710 international students.
The Government recently pumped in an additional 13.15% in allocations for the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) under Budget 2018. This brings the amount up to RM13.89 billion for 2018 and it will spur the Ministry to raise the bar on the quality of higher education in Malaysia.
Under the Education Blueprint, the aim is to attract 250,000 international students by 2025. Malaysia also has an ambition to be a global education destination by 2025. Over the past few years, the Government has been working to improve international student management including the issuance of student visa applications which can be made and tracked online.
In September 2012, Malaysia has also published the National Education Blueprint (2013-2025), covering pre-school to upper secondary education and identified 11 operational and strategic shifts to transform the education system. The Government is encouraging universities to focus on R&D through allocation of funds and local universities are strongly advised to work with industries to reduce unemployment among graduates.
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UK & MALAYSIA Malaysia’s rapid development, political and social stability, ease of doing business, familiar legal and financial framework coupled with its close historical ties with the UK, widespread use of English and liberalised education sector make the country a very attractive market for British education providers. It is estimated that British products and services linked to education and training is worth over £280 million a year.
Malaysians regard a UK qualification as high quality and internationally recognised. The number of Malaysian and international students in Malaysia pursuing a UK qualification is over 96,500. Education is a priority sector for the UK Government and former UK Prime Minister David Cameron launched the ‘’Great Year of Education’’ between the UK and Malaysia, during his trade visit to Southeast Asia in July 2015.
The Education is GREAT 3-year campaign was launched in 2016 at the Heriot-Watt University Malaysian campus. It celebrates the existing educational links between the UK and Malaysia, and further promotes partnerships in the provision of education. The UK wishes to drive up engagement to a new level and help support Malaysia’s education sector.
The UK is already contributing to Malaysia’s education goals, with 5 UK universities having opened branch campuses locally:
Other notable UK higher education institutions are Epsom College in Negeri Sembilan and Marlborough College in Johor. King Henry VIII College is set to open in Cyberjaya (1/2 hour from KL) in June 2018 while Stonyhurst College is scheduled to open in Penang (about 4 hours north of KL) in 2019.
King Henry VIII will offer private British education for junior, middle and senior school students while Stonyhurst College will offer both a British curriculum and some Malaysian subjects to prepare students aged 3-18 for entry into the best UK and international universities.
University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus Newcastle University Medical School University of Southampton Engineering School University of Reading Heriot-Watt University
The University of Nottingham and Heriot-Watt are located about an hour’s drive from the capital of Kuala Lumpur (KL), while Reading, Newcastle and Southampton are located in Iskandar EduCity, in the state of Johor, about 3 hours drive from KL and is close to the border of Singapore. Iskandar EduCity is a fully integrated education hub spanning 123 hectares with approximately 4,000 students. Picture: H.E. Vicki Treadell CMG, MVO, British High Commissioner to Malaysia at the launch of the Education is GREAT Campaign at Heriott-Watt University Malaysia.
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Malaysia also has a thriving TNE (Transnational Education) sector which is worth around ÂŁ895 million a year. UK transnational education (UK TNE) allows students to study for a UK qualification, outside the UK through:
Online/distance learning courses UKÂ overseas campuses UK-international partnership programmes In 2012, over 500,000 international students studied for a UK qualification, without travelling to the UK for their course. There are 82 Universities with TNE partnerships in Malaysia. The main Private Universities in partnership with UK institutions are: Taylors, Sunway, Brickfields, and HELP. There are also partnerships with local public research institutions including the University of Malaya. Opportunities for UK Education & Training Providers have been identified by the Department for International Trade (DIT) in the following areas: Transnational, Higher & Further Education R&D Collaboration in Higher Education & Industry
Sunway University and Lancaster University established an academic partnership in 2006. Under this institutional arrangement, students at the Sunway campus are able to study for undergraduate degree schemes in the areas of Business, Computer Technology, Communications, Hospitality, Psychology and Life Sciences validated by Lancaster University.
Schools Scaling up Pre-School Childcare and Early Years TVET Lifelong Learning and Continuing Professional Development Specialist Education Sectors
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MALAYSIAN STUDENTS IN THE UK In 2016, there were approximately 18,000 Malaysian students studying in the UK with over 9,000 students being granted UK student visas. Malaysia is the 4th largest source of international students to the UK with the 1st being students from China.
UK Student Visa Statistics (March 2016)
Source: www.gov.uk
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Students who are in these courses are aspiring to pursue their studies in either Australia, Canada, UK or US. The main intake for undergraduates going to UK universities is September or January. There are now a number of UK universities who accept the 1119 English test, so it is not compulsory for all students to take the IELTS. However it all depends on the institution as different institutions have different requirements.
The majority of students travelling to the UK are undergraduates who have completed their pre-university/foundation courses in Malaysia. A majority of pre-university/ foundation courses here ends between March to June and results take between 1-2 months to process. The following 4 foundation courses correlates to students going aboard to pursue their undergraduate studies:
Australian Matriculation Canadian Matriculation A-Levels American Degree Programme
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KEY STAKEHOLDERS Organisation
Overview
Ministry of Education (MOE) Oversees education sector from pre-school until the secondary level Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) MOHE’s integral role is creating a higher education ecosystem with the best Public Universities, Private Higher Educational Institutions, Polytechnics and Community Colleges
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Website www.moe.gov.my
www.mohe.gov.my
Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) MQA accredits post-secondary and higher education programs in Malaysia by implementing the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF). This framework serves as a platform for the higher education quality system and a reference for programme standards and criteria
www.mqa.gov.my
Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR) Responsible for the TVET Masterplan - skills development, labour, occupational safety and health, trade unions, industrial relations, industrial court, labour market information and analysis, social security
www.mohr.gov.my
Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) Organisation under the Human Resources Ministry that was established in 1993 to develop a competent local workforce that will contribute to Malaysia’s vision of becoming a high-income economy. HRDF aims to enhance skills trainings of employees, apprentices and trainees to create a knowledgeable and experienced workforce and contribute to higher economic performance in the international market
www.hrdf.com.my
Department of Skills Development (DSD) One of the main functions of DSD is Malaysian Skills Certification
www.dsd.gov.my
Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) Wholly owned by the Ministry of Higher Education and is the official gateway to studying in Malaysia as all international student applications to study in Malaysia must be made through this portal
www.educationmalaysia. gov.my
Universiti Kuala Lumpur British Malaysian Institute (UniKL BMI) Smart partnership set up between the Malaysian and British government with the mandate to provide the infrastructure and human capital while the British government contributed by providing support and expertise through its key players in certain industries
www.bmi.unikl.edu.my
National Association of Private Educational Institutions (NAPEI) Established in September 1987, NAPEI represents all levels of private educational institutions in Malaysia
www.napei.org.my
The Association of International Malaysian Schools (AIMS) Formed in 1997, non-profit organisation, dedicated to the advancement of international education in Malaysia, via the provision of services to member schools
www.aimsmalaysia.org
PERMATA Prime Minister’s wife is the patron for PERMATA which is an education programme specifically designed for the physical and intellectual development of children below 4 years old
www.programpermata.my
Organisation
Overview
Contact
Ministry of Women, Welfare & Community Department, Family & Community Development Approve license applications for Early Childcare & Education Centres (ECCE)
www.kpwkm.gov.my
Early Childhood Care & Education Council (ECCE) Established in 2010, to serve the interest of the ECCE industry. The main function is to raise the professionalism of ECCE & quality control as well as form a link between industry & government
www.eccecouncil.org
Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia (PPBM) Non-profit organisation working closely with the Ministry of Women, Family & Community Development, Malaysia. Spearheading and advocating for quality early childhood care and education for children since 1986
www.ppbm.org
Department for International Trade (DIT) The Senior Trade Manager & ASEAN Regional Lead for Education is based at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur
www.gov.uk/dit
British Council UK’s international organisation for cultural relations & educational opportunities
www.britishcouncil.org.my
EVENTS Smart Kids Asia 31 March & 1 April 2018 | Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre | http://smartkids.com.my/ Study UK 3 - 4 March 2018 | Kuala Lumpur | www.britishcouncil.my/events/study-uk-exhibition-march-2018 Study UK 10 March 2018 | Penang | www.britishcouncil.my/events/study-uk-exhibition-march-2018 Going Global 2 - 4 May 2018 | Kuala Lumpur COnvention Centre (KLCC) | www.britishcouncil.org/going-global Smart Kids Asia 7 - 9 September 2018 | Midvalley Exhibition Centre | http://smartkids.com.my/ BETT Asia 19 - 20 November 2018 | Kuala Lumpur | https://asia.bettshow.com/ HRDF Conferencce & Exhibition 27 - 28 November 2018 | Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre | www.hrdfconference.com.my/registermefor2018
CONTACT US For any inquiries please contact the BMCC Trade Team: Tel: +60(0)3 2163 1784 / 1786 Email: info@bmcc.org.my Web: www.bmcc.org.my
E04C0, 4th Floor East Block Wisma Selangor Dredging 142-B Jalan Ampang 50450 Kuala Lumpur
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