Higher education internationalisation and immigration

Internationalisation of higher education is an important aspect of allowing Malaysia and Malaysians to play an ever-increasing role in the modern and challenging world we live in.

One aspect of internationalisation involves having an increasing number of international students choosing to study in Malaysia. Currently, there are more than 128,000 international students from over 160 countries living and studying at Malaysian institutions of higher learning. This is a significant number and supports the fact that Malaysia maintains a strong position as a global education provider.

Having international students at our universities brings many benefits from producing more internationally-oriented staff and students to improving academic quality. Campuses with a significant presence of international students allow Malaysians to develop a more cosmopolitan identity, master important intercultural skills and enhance the language and communication competence sought after by employers in our globalised economy.

Education Minister Maszlee Malik has stressed the importance of having international students in the classroom. He knows it is a significant way to improve the self-confidence of Malaysian students as it also serves to expose our students to world cultures on a first-hand basis. This can only lead to a better understanding of the diversity of values from around the world.

Parag Khanna, a leading analyst and global theorist, in his latest book The Future is Asian: Global Order in the Twenty-first Century explains that “the more Asians study in one another’s countries, the more they will socialise into a pan-Asian generation with greater regional understanding and shared identity”. It is clear that there is much to be gained by pursuing a policy of encouraging international student enrolment in Malaysia.

However, social and cultural elements are only part of the equation as there are economic benefits as well. Foreign students pay higher tuition fees which directly increase revenues for our institutions. And international students living in Malaysia contribute to our economy by spending money on goods and services. But even more important, in my view, are the long-term gains these international students bring after they have graduated. The students that come here for training at our universities will return home with their degrees and become productive members of their local workforce. 

They will have with them a deep understanding of our country and people. Holding an international degree, these graduates tend to progress in their careers quickly, some in business and others in public service. In both cases, Malaysia-educated professionals will be bringing a part of Malaysia with them wherever they go. Their increasing influence in the economy and government of their home country will work to benefit Malaysia in the long run as they can be expected to collaborate with Malaysia in a multitude of ways. This is especially true if their experience in Malaysia was a positive one.

It is clear that international students are an important part of our higher education landscape for the various reasons mentioned above. And we must work hard to ensure that we grow upon this strength to not only maintain but also increase our international student enrolment for the benefit of all.

I would like to recommend to the minister of education an important strategy that, in my view, must be employed if we are all to continue to benefit as a nation. International student numbers can grow only when the environment is conducive. This includes both social and academic realms. We all must constantly strive to improve our higher learning institutions, be that in the form of facilities, or our teaching and learning process. As education providers, these are areas within our control. 

However, there is an important area requiring attention that is beyond the reach of universities and colleges. Immigration is an important part of the international student experience. Higher education has shifted over the years to make Malaysia a hub of international education. It is now time for immigration to join us on this journey too.

Presently, a major challenge faced by most institutions of higher learning in relation to international students is the Malaysian immigration process. It is a multi-layered system that, at times, seems to be discouraging an increase in student numbers. It needs to evolve and catch up with the trends of the world today. Just as Malaysian higher education has evolved over the past 15 years to become a leader in international education, so, too, must our student immigration landscape evolve. The Department of Immigration has long been an entity designed to serve the interests of national security. And we have to admit they are thorough and complete in their task. 

However, making the process straightforward and responsive to applicants is what is needed now. This is what will work to serve the best interests of our nation today. The world is a competitive place. Other countries offer more streamlined approaches to student visa applications and give the impression of being more welcoming. No matter how attractive our universities may be in terms of their high international ranking, quality of education and competitive fees, if our student visa process is not competitive, we as a nation will lose out to other countries with more welcoming immigration policies.

In moving forward, we hope the Immigration Department can see its role in a new light, serving Malaysia, working together with the Education Ministry so as to support our efforts for Malaysia to thrive as a regional education hub. This will benefit everyone. And we put our trust in Maszlee Malik, to spearhead this drive to better serve our nation.

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HASSAN BASRI AWANG MAT DAHAN is vice-chancellor, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin. - Mkini