New partnership takes Australian education to Malaysia

Minister for Education Dan Tehan said Australian universities were continuing to grow the international student market by diversifying their offering. 

Mr Tehan today launched a ground-breaking education partnership between the University of Wollongong (UOW) and KDU University College in Malaysia. 

The UOW Malaysia presence is the fourth significant operation by an Australian university in Malaysia, joining branch campuses of Monash, Swinburne and Curtin universities. 

About 23 per cent of overseas students studying Australian higher education courses in 2018 were based outside Australia. 

Mr Tehan said the partnership would further increase engagement between Malaysian students and Australia’s education system. 

“Nearly 20,000 students studied an Australian higher education qualification at a branch campus or in blended programs in Malaysia last year,” Mr Tehan said. 

“Offshore delivery of higher education courses will continue to grow in an increasingly globalised world and it’s critical that Australian education providers capitalise on the opportunities this presents. 

“Malaysia is also an important education partner and we are working to strengthen that relationship to the benefit of both countries. 

“Australia is the second most popular destination for Malaysian higher education students and having a physical presence in Malaysia will increase our sector’s exposure to local students.” 

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham said international education was a major export earner for Australia and innovative partnerships such as this one would help further boost our $35 billion international education sector. 

“This partnership between UOW and KDU University College is a great example of how the world’s leading education providers are evolving their service delivery models to thrive in an increasingly competitive market,” Minister Birmingham said. 

“Malaysia presents huge growth opportunities for Australian education providers, and Austrade continues to work closely with the sector to promote our high-quality provider education and training services in this important market.”