Subritzky (front third right) is seen during a photocall for the launching. KYSIC founder Tan Sri Halim Saad is at front third left, while Kamaruddin is at front left.
NEW Zealand universities in partnership with KYS International College (KYSIC) launched the new FCertNZ Foundation Programme on Tuesday.
It will allow students in Malaysia to be awarded both a Foundation Certificate by KYSIC and an undergraduate degree from one of New Zealand’s eight universities.
The study programme will be offered at the KYS Business School (KYSB) in Ayer Keroh, Melaka.
Building on a collaboration agreement signed between three lead universities representing the consortium of all New Zealand’s universities – the University of Otago, Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Waikato – and KYSIC in 2015, the FCertNZ Foundation Programme will see Malaysian students undergo a one-year foundation programme in KYSB before proceeding to a three-year (or more) undergraduate course in New Zealand.
KYS Business School (KYSB) chief executive Datuk Kamaruddin Awang said this new foundation programme aims to widen as well as create better educational opportunities for Malaysian students.
“KYS has always been at the forefront of quality education in Malaysia and the FCertNZ Foundation Programme kick-starts another chapter in our international education strategy.
“Through this new partnership with the universities in New Zealand, we hope that our students will continue to be exposed to high-quality education and gain valuable international experiences that can eventually help them meet the demands of both the local and global economy,” said Kamaruddin, who is an alumnus of Victoria University of Wellington.
The new foundation programme offers a variety of courses in the fields of Humanities, Commerce, Sciences, Engineering as well as Health Sciences.
Examples of these courses include a Foundation in Accounting, which will lead a student to a Bachelor of Commerce; and a Foundation in Science, which is a pathway to a myriad of courses in health and applied sciences, engineering, architecture and IT.
Education New Zealand (ENZ) regional director of South, South East Asia and the Middle East John Laxon said the new foundation programme will provide a seamless pathway for Malaysian students to further their studies in New Zealand.
“Malaysian students are choosing New Zealand for a world-class education that focuses on innovation and creative thinking – key traits that employers look for today.
“We have seen a 66 per cent year-to-date increase in the number of Malaysian students choosing New Zealand this year and with this new programme, we are excited to see more students from Malaysia come to New Zealand for their studies,” said Laxon.
New Zealand high commissioner to Malaysia Dr John Subritzky highlighted how this collaboration represents yet another significant milestone in the ever-growing relationship between both countries, especially with the two countries celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations this year.
“Malaysia and New Zealand have long-standing educational ties which stem from the Colombo Plan scholarships in the 1950s and 1960s. Till today, partnerships formed between educational institutions in Malaysia and New Zealand are central to our robust relationship.
“It is exciting to see this collaboration between KYSIC, an established institution in Malaysia, and New Zealand’s eight universities – all of which rank amongst the top three per cent in the QS World Rankings. We look forward to more collaborations between Malaysia and New Zealand institutions, and congratulations to all those involved,” said Subritzky.
For more information about studying in New Zealand, visit www.studyinnewzealand.govt.nz.
ENZ is New Zealand’s government agency for international education.
It works to grow awareness of New Zealand as a study destination and to support New Zealand education providers and businesses to take their services and products abroad.