Britain launches Education is GREAT in Malaysia with 3 MOUs

KUALA LUMPUR, 23 February 2016: H.E. Vicki Treadell CMG MVO, the British High Commissioner to Malaysia and the Malaysian Deputy Minister of Higher Education Y.B. Datuk Mary Yap launched the “Education is GREAT” campaign at Heriot-Watt University campus in Putrajaya today.

The three-year campaign brings together parties who are involved in education including the British Council, schools, universities, professional and vocational training bodies, UK alumnus in Malaysia, as well as various suppliers and businesses that support the sector. More than 100 institutions and companies have signed up to be partners in the campaign. Three Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) were signed at the launch event today, to pave the way to greater collaboration in education.

At the launch of the campaign, H.E. Vicki Treadell said:

“The campaign celebrates the existing educational links between the UK and Malaysia, and further promotes partnerships in the provision of education. We wish to drive up our engagement to a new level and help support Malaysia’s ambition to become the education hub for ASEAN.”

  

The “Education is GREAT” campaign was launched in Malaysia before being rolled out to the rest of ASEAN. It is a testament that the UK considers Malaysia an important partner in education. There are over 16,000 Malaysians currently studying in the UK and an additional 58,000 individuals studying for a UK qualification in Malaysia. There are five British university campuses in Malaysia and a total of 125 British institutions that offer UK degrees via partnerships with Malaysian institutions. Malaysia is also home to a number of top British schools, including Marlborough and Epsom Colleges.

Treadell added:

“UK education has always been known for its quality. By promoting more collaboration between British education institutions and Malaysian partners, we are making UK education more accessible than ever.”  

The British Council in Malaysia has also noted significant interests in UK education and is well-placed to capitalise on growing opportunities.

  

Sarah Deverall, Country Director of the British Council Malaysia, said:

“The interest in UK education helps support our work in cultivating educational and cultural relations between the UK and Malaysia. Apart from running English language programmes, promoting UK education, arts and culture, we are particularly excited about the opening of the British Council school in Malaysia soon, its first in the country and only the second in the world.”

The British High Commission, the British Council and other partners will run a number of activities to celebrate and promote UK education in Malaysia. Among those scheduled for this year are the International & Private Schools Education Forum’s (IPSEF) Asia Forum (March); Shakespeare Lives campaign (April); the Training Gateway Education & Corporate Training Trade Mission to Malaysia (May); the British Educational Technology Trade Show (BETT) Asia Leadership Summit (November); Education UK fair (November).