The University of Nottingham Malaysia has inaugurated its Future Students Centre in Petaling Jaya as part of its long-term investment in Malaysia’s higher education sector. The center aims to attract international students, aligns with Malaysia’s goal to enroll 250,000 international students by 2025, and forms a key component of UNM’s five-year strategic plan focusing on people and partnerships.
In a significant stride towards Malaysia’s goal of becoming an international hub for higher education, the University of Nottingham Malaysia has officially inaugurated its cutting-edge Future Students Centre in Petaling Jaya. The opening ceremony witnessed the presence of British High Commission Deputy Country Director Francine Torbett, UNM Provost and CEO Prof Sarah Metcalfe, and Boustead Holdings Bhd Group CEO Izaddeen Daud.
The establishment of the Future Students Centre aligns with Malaysia’s ambitious Education Blueprint, which aims to attract 250,000 international students to the country by 2025.
During the opening ceremony, Prof Metcalfe emphasized, “This center signifies not only our continuous investment in Malaysia but also our commitment to adapting to the changing needs of our students and their potential employers.”
Impactful partnerships
With a history spanning 23 years, UNM has forged impactful partnerships with prominent industry players and non-governmental organizations. These collaborations include Sarawak Energy, NVIDIA, and CNN Academy, spanning diverse sectors such as hydro energy, artificial intelligence and global journalism.
These partnerships have not only solidified UNM’s reputation as a collaborative institution but are also expected to significantly contribute to its revenue growth, aligning with its five-year plan focused on “people and partnerships.”
The Future Students Centre plays a pivotal role in UNM’s comprehensive growth strategy, which encompasses People, Education, Research and Knowledge Exchange, Student Experience, Global Engagement, and Environmental Sustainability. The center’s features include an accommodation showroom, a bird’s eye campus preview model, and a flexible event space designed to host up to 100 people for various activities.
Promoting STEM and STEAM education
UNM has been at the forefront of promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, with a recent integration of the emerging concept of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). This holistic approach to education is in line with the demands of Malaysia’s evolving workforce, which increasingly requires skills in science and technology.
With over 15,000 alumni and a diverse student body representing 70 different countries, UNM is committed to enhancing both local and global academic landscapes. As Prof Metcalfe pointed out, “Digital transformation is a major change agent within higher education,” and UNM is poised to lead this transformation.
