Building links in Malaysia

The college also formalised its collaboration with the University of Canterbury (UC) at the event, which was attended by the Chief Minister of Penang, Mr Chow Kon Yeow, and New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, H.E Pam Dunn.  

Mr Chow highlighted the importance of ensuring Malaysians have access to diverse education options that broaden their prospects as global citizens. 

“The higher education sector plays an invaluable role in realising Malaysia’s targets of becoming a high-income nation,” he said.  

Over the past two years, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao has focused on sustaining New Zealand’s global reputation through education and research partnerships, as well as leveraging digital tools to maximise learning experiences.  

In Malaysia, this includes a programme launched by DISTED College in collaboration with UC, which allows eligible students to apply for a one-year advanced standing into UC’s Bachelor of Commerce degree. Students can also enter other UC programmes, including in engineering and science, via a range of pathway programmes offered by the college. 

Mr Chow said cross-border collaborations like these, which allow students to begin their studies closer to home before seamlessly transitioning to a higher degree in New Zealand, significantly lower the cost and broaden the range of opportunities for Malaysian students. 

Brian Imrie, Chief Executive Officer at DISTED College, is himself a New Zealander, and places high value on this opportunity from UC, for international students to explore the world and help solve future global challenges. Previous students have returned to Malaysia enthusiastic about their experience and the career opportunities it provided, he said. 

Malaysia is one of New Zealand’s oldest and closest diplomatic partners in Southeast Asia, and this year marks 65 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.