Malaysians eye China to pursue higher studies

Malaysian student Lim Jia Le has been studying at Tsinghua University for five years. Reflecting on her choice to study in China after high school, the 23-year-old said it was the best decision she made.

"Among the countries I received offers from, I chose China mainly because Tsinghua University ranks high internationally for majors in life sciences and chemical engineering, which are my fields of interest," Lim said.

Lim said that students from her high school had been opting for China for their higher education since 2016. "They would come back home to Malaysia and share their experiences in China. I felt that China could offer more opportunities for future development, more recreational activities and a safer social environment. These factors helped me make up my mind," she said.

After studying in China for five years, Lim describes her experience as overwhelmingly positive. "Compared to universities in Malaysia or Singapore, Tsinghua offers a wealth of student activities and various forums with distinguished guests, which are particularly attractive to Malaysian students. Living in China is also very convenient with its efficient food delivery and transportation services."

As Malaysia and China celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, educational exchanges between the two nations have become a new highlight, with more and more Malaysian students opting for higher education in China.

Data from the Association of Graduates from Universities and Colleges of China in Malaysia show that about 1,800 Malaysian students studied in China in 2007. By 2019, this number had grown to approximately 9,500, and the number of Malaysian students enrolled in Chinese universities exceeded 10,000 in 2023. Notably, the number of postgraduate students has increased significantly in the post-pandemic era.

Lim Kok Yan, president of the Association of Graduates from Universities and Colleges of China-Malaysia, said that China's economic development and growing international influence are key factors attracting Malaysian students.

"Many Malaysian parents believe that studying in China offers their children broader networks and perspectives. Chinese companies expanding globally often prefer to hire Malaysians with Chinese educational backgrounds. The Belt and Road Initiative has further deepened economic and trade cooperation between Malaysia and China, making it easier for Malaysian graduates to find related jobs," he said.

Professor Su Yingying, dean of the School of Asian Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, or BFSU, attributed the growing popularity of China as an overseas study destination among Malaysian students to strong bilateral relations.

Deepened trust

"The close cooperation between China and Malaysia in various fields has deepened bilateral political trust and economic ties. Over the past decade, the Belt and Road Initiative has further strengthened this trust and therefore fostered flourishing educational and cultural exchanges," she said.

In April, the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange and Malaysian Qualifications Agency signed a memorandum about degree recognition, which explored establishing a coordination mechanism and jointly addressing issues in degree recognition. "Such close cooperation between the two countries' education departments has boosted educational exchanges from both institutional and policy perspectives," Su said.

"More importantly, higher education is also advancing rapidly in China, with many majors now becoming internationally competitive. At the same time, China provides a safe study environment and relatively lower tuition fees, compared to other countries. These factors make China an attractive destination for Malaysian students," she said.

During his visit to Shanghai in May, Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister I and Minister of Rural and Regional Development Dato' Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi emphasized China's advantage in high technology and urged Malaysian youths to seize the opportunity to pursue higher education in China to gain knowledge in various fields, especially technology, Malaysian media reported.

"As China-Malaysia economic collaboration expands and Chinese investment in Malaysia grows, I think more Malaysian students will choose China for higher education, covering an increasing range of majors," said Su of BFSU.

yangran1@chinadaily.com.cn