Malaysia to earn RM6 bln from 200,000 international students by 2020

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KUALA LUMPUR: The Higher Education Ministry is eyeing earnings worth RM6 billion through a projection of 200,000 international students in the country by 2020.

The minister, Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin, said the earnings projection was based on an average of RM30,000 per student.

He believed that was possible as Malaysia currently positioned itself as a stable, safe and relatively cheap place for overseas students to study.

“Now that Malaysia has become a popular destination for the pursuit of higher education among foreign students, more and more established reputable universities from around the world will set up their branch campuses here, working jointly with Malaysian universities and colleges.

“Acknowledged as a key destination for foriegn universities, with 25 applications received to set up campuses here, has proven that the interest in the country’s tertiary education sector has shifted to higher gear,” he said, adding that looking at the positive scenario, the government expected to receive more applications.

Khaled said this at the inaugration ceremony of India’s Vinayaka Missions International University College here yesterday.

The minister said the government was making the education sector an economic investment to attract foriegn students, with Malaysia fast becoming a centre of educational excellence in the region.

He added, Malaysia currently houseed more than 93,000 international students from more than 100 countries, with 150,000 targeted by 2015 and 200,000 by 2020.

“Ranked as the world’s 11th largest exporter of educational services, the government is counting on the increased demand for quality education from students in existing and new markets, like the Middle East, China and Africa,” he said. — Bernama