15 October 2015 at 9:00 am
NZ universities sign collaboration agreement with Malaysia’s KYS International College
Malaysian students will now have the opportunity to enrol into their choice of New Zealand’s eight universities through a newly developed foundation programme to be introduced in 2016 by KYS International College Sdn Bhd (KYSIC).
The foundation programme will be jointly developed by KYSIC and the Consortium Universities (the University of Otago, Victoria University of Wellington and University of Waikato) but provides Malaysian students with access to all eight New Zealand universities which ranked in the top three percent in the latest QS World Rankings.
The foundation programme consists of four streams which will cover all undergraduate courses available at the New Zealand universities - Foundation in Commerce, Foundation in Health Science, Foundation in Humanities and Foundation in Science.
The collaboration agreement was signed on 2 October between representatives from the Consortium Universities and KYSIC, a school established by successful Malaysian entrepreneur and New Zealand-educated alumni, Tan Sri Halim Saad. The agreement, which builds on the strong and warm relationship which exists between the two countries, was signed by the New Zealand universities in the presence of the New Zealand High Commission and Education New Zealand in Kuala Lumpur.
Stuart McLauchlan, the University of Otago's Pro-Chancellor, has been personally involved in the initiative along with Roger McElwain, the CEO of the University's Foundation Studies Programme.
“The University of Otago has contributed to previous successful education initiatives with Malaysia and is excited with the latest collaborative venture offering a Foundation Programme in Malaysia,” says Mr. McLauchlan.
Otago is the lead New Zealand university for the programme.
Victoria University of Wellington Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Roberto Rabel, says this continued collaboration highlights the institution’s commitment to Malaysian students.
“Victoria University is delighted to be working on another New Zealand Malaysian education initiative involving our distinguished alumnus Tan Sri Halim Saad. We hope it will be as successful as the accounting degree venture we have in co-operation with KYS in Melaka.”
Ed Weymes, Waikato University’s Pro Vice Chancellor International, says this signing represents a significant milestone in the ever growing partnership between New Zealand and Malaysia.
“The University of Waikato is thrilled to be a participant in this collaborative venture, offering a Foundation Programme in Malaysia which will be recognised by all New Zealand universities. This signals a new chapter in New Zealand’s international education strategy.”
