Malaysian educational institutes eye Indonesians

Malaysian educational institutes eye Indonesians

By Rita A. Widiadana

JAKARTA (JP): Malaysia is emerging as an advanced education
center in the Southeast Asian region with its growing
international-standard higher learning institutions.

Encik Mohd Zain Abu Bakar, temporary charge d'affairs of the
Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta, confirmed that about 15,000 foreign
students are now studying at hundreds of colleges, universities,
institutes, polytechnics and various professional courses in
Malaysia.

Abu Bakar said here during a recent exhibition on Malaysian
Education that Malaysia has some of the finest institutions of
higher learning, with standards of academic excellence that have
gained worldwide recognition. The education sector receives the
highest percentage (25 percent) of the state budget.

Malaysia has been actively promoting its education services to
neighboring countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei
Darussalam, Thailand and the Philippines.

The recent exhibition, held in Jakarta, Surabaya in East Java
and Pekan Baru in Riau, was the second; the first was held last
year in Jakarta, Bandung in West Java and Medan in North Sumatra.

"It is easier for students in Pekan Baru to continue their
education in Malaysia because the city is so close to Kuala
Lumpur," Abu Bakar said.

Currently, there are over 400 higher learning institutions in
Malaysia, including nine state universities. Thirty elementary
level to tertiary level institutions in Malaysia took part in the
exhibition.

Among the institutions was Utama International School, which
caters for children from the age of 5 up to 17. Kolej Tuanku
Ja'afar is the first and an independent secondary boarding school
in Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus.

Universiti Putra Malaysia, set up in l931, claims itself as
the model university of the 21 Century. The university is well-
known for its Research and Development and Science and Technology
Center for higher learning in Malaysia.

The Sedaya College, which set up an agreement with the
University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg and the
University of Saskatchewan in Canada, offers a wide range of
subjects.

Applied sciences, medicine programs, engineering, business and
finance and computer and information technology are among the
college's best programs.

Charles N., executive director of Taylor's College, which has
about 300 Indonesian students, explained that the most favorite
subjects for Malaysian as well as foreign students are
Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Business
and Commerce.

He said foreign students will benefit from studying at
Malaysia's universities because it will be less costly.

"The quality of education that we offer is similar with that
provided by universities in Western countries, while at the same
time, it can save costs of up to 50 percent," he said.

If you are single, you will need at least RM 7,000 (US$1,823)
a year for living expenses, covering accommodation, transport,
food, clothes, health and entertainment.

Most of the colleges are now affiliated with international
institutions in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the
United States.

Taylor's College, for one, is affiliated with the University
of Sheffield in the United Kingdom, the University of Technology
in Sydney and the University of Illinois in the U.S.

Monash University Sunway Campus Malaysia in Selangor is the
first foreign-based campus in Malaysia, and Monash University's
seventh campus. The university focuses on Business and Commerce,
Business and Information Technology, Communications, Engineering,
Science and Nursing.

Mohamed Salleh Bin Mohamed Yasin, Vice Chancellor of
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, which has 400 Indonesian
students, said Malaysia benefits from its historical ties with
the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries like Australia and
Canada.

"We don't have any language barrier. Although we are proud of
our Malay language, English has become the second official
language for education and business," said Mohamed Yasin, the
university's professor and medical mycologist.

The curriculum of elementary to tertiary education is adjusted
to those in foreign countries, he added. "Graduates of Malaysian
high schools, or undergraduates, can easily continue their
schooling abroad."

For the last 30 years, the Malaysian government has been
active in providing quality education for its citizens. Students
are given scholarships to study abroad, including to Indonesia.

"I was proud to graduate from the Bandung Institute of
Technology (ITB) in Bandung, West Java, one of the best
institutes in the region," said Mohamed Yasin.

Between the l960s and the l970s, a large number of Malaysian
students studied at Indonesian state universities like ITB, the
University of Padjadjaran in Bandung, the University of Indonesia
in Jakarta, the University of Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta and
several Teachers' Training Colleges.

"Overseas graduates work hard to apply their knowledge and
expertise for the improvement of Malaysia's education system. We
are now gathering the fruits of our labor," he said.

Rina Sugiyono, a mother of an Indonesian student in Malaysia,
said that her son's school environment is very conducive compared
to that of Indonesian high schools.

"There is no tawuran (student brawls) or drug traffickers
because the punishment is hard. I feel safe to send him there,"
she said.

Tini Sachlin, an Indonesian high school teacher in Kuala
Trengganu, Malaysia, said she was quite sad to realize that
Indonesia is now lagging behind Malaysia in education.

"In l968, I was sent to Malaysia to teach its students
because, at that time, the country lacked teachers," recalled
Tini, who formerly taught at SMA 3 high school in Bandung.

She said the Malaysian government really has a strong
commitment to education and the welfare of teachers and
lecturers.

"If you visit Malaysia, it will be difficult to find
dilapidated school buildings even in small villages. Teachers
receive high salaries and are respected in society," she said.

All universities are equipped with high-tech equipment, sports
facilities and other supporting items.

"It's no wonder that many foreign students begin to eye the
opportunity to study there. To compete with Malaysia, the
Indonesian government must reform its education system
immediately, otherwise its universities will have no students."