KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 – Malaysia is actively working to enhance its presence in the global higher education landscape, with Erasmus+ playing a crucial role in this initiative. During the Selamat Pagi Malaysia program on RTM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan, representing ENFP Malaysia and serving as Chair of the Malaysian Public Universities International Directors’ Committee (JKPA), emphasized the nation’s commitment to internationalization alongside UTM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim.
Dr. Ariffin outlined the strategy of “bringing Malaysia to the world and bringing the world to Malaysia,” which aligns with the internationalization agenda set forth by YB Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, Minister of Higher Education. This strategy includes strengthening global partnerships, increasing student and staff mobility, and improving policies regarding international student enrollment, visas, and welfare.
During the recent National Erasmus+ Office-International Contact Points-ENFP (NEO-ICP-ENFP) 2025 meeting in Brussels, Dr. Ariffin stressed that Erasmus+ goes beyond transnational education (TNE) to encompass trans-regional education, fostering collaborations across various regions, including Europe, Latin America, and Asia. He noted, “This approach positions Malaysia as a hub for higher education while expanding cooperation beyond geographical boundaries.”
He highlighted that Erasmus+ serves as a key initiative in Malaysia’s internationalization agenda, facilitating student mobility, academic staff exchanges, and global partnerships. “Malaysia’s participation in Erasmus+ demonstrates our commitment to fostering international collaborations. We are witnessing significant progress, from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s (UKM) campus establishment in Jakarta to Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah’s (UMPSA) partnerships with universities in Germany and Kazakhstan, as well as Universiti Sains Malaysia’s (USM) overseas campus development,” he stated.
Beyond mobility, Erasmus+ supports academic partnerships, joint research, and program co-development, all of which contribute to Malaysia’s higher education ecosystem. “Through Erasmus+, we are not only sending our students and staff abroad, but we are also attracting global talent to Malaysia. This ensures that our universities remain competitive in the international education sector,” Dr. Ariffin noted. This aligns with one of the seven key priorities of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) 2025, which aims to position Malaysia’s universities as top choices globally.
By fostering long-term, high-impact collaborations, Malaysia is not only enhancing the global visibility of its universities but also creating valuable opportunities for students, academics, and institutions to engage in meaningful knowledge exchange. These efforts contribute to a more dynamic and globally competitive higher education ecosystem. Through sustained participation in Erasmus+ and global collaborations, Malaysia is solidifying its role as a leader in international education, driving academic excellence and fostering global partnerships.
Prepared by:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariffin Abu Hassan
Nur Masitoh Islamiah Mustaffa Kamal