Overview
The education sector in Malaysia, in particular higher education and training, is rapidly developing and is targeted at becoming the centre of excellence in the region. Malaysian institutes of higher learning, which includes the public and private, are capable to offer quality higher education at affordable fees. A variety of higher education courses and programmes including professional and specialized skills courses are being offered by these institutions. Among programmes offered include twinning programmes with American, Canadian, British and Australian universities.

Education has been identified as one of the services sub-sector for further growth and development during the Industrial Master Plan 3 (IMP3) period, which is from 2006-2020. Policy measures for this sector include enhancing the business environment, the quality and standards of education, promoting the export of education sector, increasing training capacities, promoting investments in education and training services, and enhancing total factor productivity.

As at end of December 2007, there are 20 public universities and 524 private colleges and institutes of higher education in Malaysia. During the stipulated period, there were 46,530 international students from 150 countries studying in Malaysia, of which 12,926 are studying at public universities and 33,604 students at private colleges and institutes of higher learning. Majority of the foreign students were from Indonesia, China, Iran, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Yemen and Botswana.

Malaysia has been the preferred choice for foreign students to pursue higher education and training programmes. Among the factors include:

• High quality of education
  
• Competitive cost of educational expenses
  
• Urban living environment, which meets the high standard of living for foreign students
  
• Diverse cultures and multi-religious society
  
• Reasonable cost of living
  
• Political and economic stability
  
• Extensive use of English as a medium of communication

Malaysian Education Instituitions Overseas

Malaysian higher education institutions have also made inroads into the international arena and have established branch campuses overseas in:-

• United Kingdom
  
• New Zealand
  
• China
  
• Indonesia
  
• India
  
• Pakistan
  
• Botswana

Export Promotion Activities

MATRADE's export promotion activities for the education sector includes participation in international trade fairs, organising Malaysian Education Exhibitions and participation in MATRADE's Trade and Investment Missions led by the Minister of International Trade and Industry. MATRADE has also been working closely with other Ministries and agencies to promote the export of education sector, such as the Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Malaysian Association of Private Colleges and Universities (MAPCU) and National Association of Private Education Institutions (NAPEI).

Related Ministry/Organisations In Education Sector

• Ministry of Higher Education
  
• Ministry of Education
  
• Malaysian Association of Private Colleges and Universities (MAPCU)
  
• National Association of Private Education Institutions (NAPEI)
  

Contacts In Matrade

Feedback and enquiries are welcome. Please contact:

Mr. Faizal Izany Mastor
(Email: faizal@matrade.gov.my, Tel: 03-6207 7141, Fax: 03-6203 7260)

Ms. Hafizah Taib
(Email: hafizah@matrade.gov.my, Tel: 03-6207 7142, Fax: 03-6203 7260)