“We are proud to work alongside UNM. Together, we are helping shape Malaysia into a truly global education destination.“
NOVIE TAJUDDIN
Chief Executive Officer
Education Malaysia Global Services
As Malaysia continues to position itself as a leading international education hub, the partnership between the 188体育网址_188体育在线-【唯一授权网站】@ of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) and Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) is becoming increasingly significant in expanding global engagement.
Novie Tajuddin, Chief Executive Officer of EMGS, views this collaboration as a strategic element in Malaysia’s efforts to attract international students.
“UNM has demonstrated a strong commitment to global outreach. Their readiness to engage with international markets shows they understand the long-term value of consistent promotion,” he says.
Formed under the aegis of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), EMGS is the sole agency responsible for promoting Malaysia as a preferred destination for international students while also managing their movement into the country.
For over a decade, EMGS has supported universities through centralised services for visa processing and facilitation and student assistance centres located in Kuala Lumpur and Kuching.
EMGS leads approximately 50 global education events each year across six regions, including Southeast Asia, East Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Africa. UNM has participated in several of these, joining EMGS on overseas visits and at education exhibitions. “UNM is not only collaborative, but also eager to further improve its international appeal,” says Novie. “The working relationship between our teams has grown stronger over the years, and that level of trust is essential in building long-term success.”
The impact of EMGS’s efforts is clearly reflected in the growing number of international students in Malaysia. International student applications have increased by 26% year-on-year. In 2024 alone, Malaysian higher education institutions recorded over 137,000 international students. Today, Malaysia is proud to host more than 130,000 international students across the country.
These students contributed more than RM16 billion to the economy through tuition fees and living expenses. Institutions such as UNM have benefited from this influx, with an increasing number of applications translating into actual enrolments.
Following the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a noticeable shift in focus among foreign university campuses in Malaysia. In the early years, many primarily targeted local students. Today, there is stronger interest in reaching international audiences, with UNM emerging as a leading example of this shift.
EMGS is also present at Kuala Lumpur International Airport through the world’s first International Student Arrival Centre (ISAC), established to warmly welcome international students and ensure a pleasant experience from the moment they arrive. This initiative, coupled with stronger institutional commitment, has contributed to an increase in the enrolment conversion rate, from 38% in 2023 to 70% in 2024.
Novie believes that such progress is only possible through strong partnerships. “We are proud to work alongside UNM. Together, we are helping shape Malaysia into a truly global education destination.”