Malaysian educational institutes eye Indonesians<\/p>\n
By Rita A. Widiadana<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Malaysia is emerging as an advanced education
\ncenter in the Southeast Asian region with its growing
\ninternational-standard higher learning institutions.<\/p>\n
Encik Mohd Zain Abu Bakar, temporary charge d'affairs of the
\nMalaysian Embassy in Jakarta, confirmed that about 15,000 foreign
\nstudents are now studying at hundreds of colleges, universities,
\ninstitutes, polytechnics and various professional courses in
\nMalaysia.<\/p>\n
Abu Bakar said here during a recent exhibition on Malaysian
\nEducation that Malaysia has some of the finest institutions of
\nhigher learning, with standards of academic excellence that have
\ngained worldwide recognition. The education sector receives the
\nhighest percentage (25 percent) of the state budget.<\/p>\n
Malaysia has been actively promoting its education services to
\nneighboring countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei
\nDarussalam, Thailand and the Philippines.<\/p>\n
The recent exhibition, held in Jakarta, Surabaya in East Java
\nand Pekan Baru in Riau, was the second; the first was held last
\nyear in Jakarta, Bandung in West Java and Medan in North Sumatra.<\/p>\n
"It is easier for students in Pekan Baru to continue their
\neducation in Malaysia because the city is so close to Kuala
\nLumpur," Abu Bakar said.<\/p>\n
Currently, there are over 400 higher learning institutions in
\nMalaysia, including nine state universities. Thirty elementary
\nlevel to tertiary level institutions in Malaysia took part in the
\nexhibition.<\/p>\n
Among the institutions was Utama International School, which
\ncaters for children from the age of 5 up to 17. Kolej Tuanku
\nJa'afar is the first and an independent secondary boarding school
\nin Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus.<\/p>\n
Universiti Putra Malaysia, set up in l931, claims itself as
\nthe model university of the 21 Century. The university is well-
\nknown for its Research and Development and Science and Technology
\nCenter for higher learning in Malaysia.<\/p>\n
The Sedaya College, which set up an agreement with the
\nUniversity of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg and the
\nUniversity of Saskatchewan in Canada, offers a wide range of
\nsubjects.<\/p>\n
Applied sciences, medicine programs, engineering, business and
\nfinance and computer and information technology are among the
\ncollege's best programs.<\/p>\n
Charles N., executive director of Taylor's College, which has
\nabout 300 Indonesian students, explained that the most favorite
\nsubjects for Malaysian as well as foreign students are
\nInformation Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Business
\nand Commerce.<\/p>\n
He said foreign students will benefit from studying at
\nMalaysia's universities because it will be less costly.<\/p>\n
"The quality of education that we offer is similar with that
\nprovided by universities in Western countries, while at the same
\ntime, it can save costs of up to 50 percent," he said.<\/p>\n
If you are single, you will need at least RM 7,000 (US$1,823)
\na year for living expenses, covering accommodation, transport,
\nfood, clothes, health and entertainment.<\/p>\n
Most of the colleges are now affiliated with international
\ninstitutions in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the
\nUnited States.<\/p>\n
Taylor's College, for one, is affiliated with the University
\nof Sheffield in the United Kingdom, the University of Technology
\nin Sydney and the University of Illinois in the U.S.<\/p>\n
Monash University Sunway Campus Malaysia in Selangor is the
\nfirst foreign-based campus in Malaysia, and Monash University's
\nseventh campus. The university focuses on Business and Commerce,
\nBusiness and Information Technology, Communications, Engineering,
\nScience and Nursing.<\/p>\n
Mohamed Salleh Bin Mohamed Yasin, Vice Chancellor of
\nUniversiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, which has 400 Indonesian
\nstudents, said Malaysia benefits from its historical ties with
\nthe United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries like Australia and
\nCanada.<\/p>\n
"We don't have any language barrier. Although we are proud of
\nour Malay language, English has become the second official
\nlanguage for education and business," said Mohamed Yasin, the
\nuniversity's professor and medical mycologist.<\/p>\n
The curriculum of elementary to tertiary education is adjusted
\nto those in foreign countries, he added. "Graduates of Malaysian
\nhigh schools, or undergraduates, can easily continue their
\nschooling abroad."<\/p>\n
For the last 30 years, the Malaysian government has been
\nactive in providing quality education for its citizens. Students
\nare given scholarships to study abroad, including to Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"I was proud to graduate from the Bandung Institute of
\nTechnology (ITB) in Bandung, West Java, one of the best
\ninstitutes in the region," said Mohamed Yasin.<\/p>\n
Between the l960s and the l970s, a large number of Malaysian
\nstudents studied at Indonesian state universities like ITB, the
\nUniversity of Padjadjaran in Bandung, the University of Indonesia
\nin Jakarta, the University of Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta and
\nseveral Teachers' Training Colleges.<\/p>\n
"Overseas graduates work hard to apply their knowledge and
\nexpertise for the improvement of Malaysia's education system. We
\nare now gathering the fruits of our labor," he said.<\/p>\n
Rina Sugiyono, a mother of an Indonesian student in Malaysia,
\nsaid that her son's school environment is very conducive compared
\nto that of Indonesian high schools.<\/p>\n
"There is no tawuran (student brawls) or drug traffickers
\nbecause the punishment is hard. I feel safe to send him there,"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
Tini Sachlin, an Indonesian high school teacher in Kuala
\nTrengganu, Malaysia, said she was quite sad to realize that
\nIndonesia is now lagging behind Malaysia in education.<\/p>\n
"In l968, I was sent to Malaysia to teach its students
\nbecause, at that time, the country lacked teachers," recalled
\nTini, who formerly taught at SMA 3 high school in Bandung.<\/p>\n
She said the Malaysian government really has a strong
\ncommitment to education and the welfare of teachers and
\nlecturers.<\/p>\n
"If you visit Malaysia, it will be difficult to find
\ndilapidated school buildings even in small villages. Teachers
\nreceive high salaries and are respected in society," she said.<\/p>\n
All universities are equipped with high-tech equipment, sports
\nfacilities and other supporting items.<\/p>\n
"It's no wonder that many foreign students begin to eye the
\nopportunity to study there. To compete with Malaysia, the
\nIndonesian government must reform its education system
\nimmediately, otherwise its universities will have no students."<\/p>",
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