Monash University sets up two new Schools in Malaysia

18 June 2008

Malaysia’s efforts to become a regional education hub receives another boost this year with the establishment of two new academic Schools by Monash University at its campus in Malaysia.

The milestone also coincides with the 10^th anniversary of the setting up of the Monash Sunway campus – a prime example reflecting Malaysia’s successful hosting and nurturing of foreign university branch campuses.

“The move makes Monash University the first private higher education institution to establish a School of Arts & Social Sciences and reflects the maturing of the Sunway campus,” said Monash University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor and President (Malaysia) Professor Robin Pollard.

He said the formation of two distinct schools – the School of Arts & Social Sciences and the School of Science - will provide the focus needed to drive teaching and research programs in the respective fields, attracting more local and international students at the undergraduate and postgraduate level.

The development of Malaysia as a regional education hub requires the availability of high quality programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as intensification of research activity.

 “The establishment of these Schools will allow Monash to meet this requirement in a more comprehensive manner,” said Professor Pollard.

The School of Arts and Social Sciences, created in June, will be headed by established Malaysian academic, Professor James Chin who hopes to offer a wide range of programs in the Arts & Social Sciences, and carry out research in various related fields.

“Aside from offering undergraduate programs that are relevant and will support the development of Malaysia’s intellectual capital, and expand the pool of high-quality professionals with an Arts or Social Science background, we also hope to contribute through community engagement,” said Professor Chin.

“We hope the establishment of this School will also set the stage for increased academic and research collaborations with public and private universities in Malaysia in the Social Sciences.”

Professor Chin is confident these partnerships can also leverage on Monash University’s multinational presence and depths of expertise to create new knowledge that will contribute to the development of Malaysia and the region.

“I’m pleased to say my colleagues at the School of Arts and Social Sciences have been very active in this area, engaging not only communities in Malaysia through their work and research, but also regionally through annual visits and other forms of exchanges.”

“Efforts are being made to recruit new social scientists and it is very satisfying to see that we have an increasing presence of postgraduate students who are contributing to the development of teaching, learning and research on the Sunway campus.  We will also actively offer Postgraduate scholarships towards this end,” he added.

 By Jasbir Singh

Professor James Chin, Head of the School of Arts and Social Sciences and Professor Pua Eng Chong, Head of School of Science.