Monash on the move to engage Malaysia

4 January 2008

Monash University is on the move to expand its presence and increase its contribution to Malaysia and the region through world-class research, high-quality education and superior student outcomes.

The university, which recently moved into its new RM200 million Sunway campus, can contribute in a number of areas, said its new Pro Vice-Chancellor and President ( Malaysia) Professor Robin Pollard. Professor Pollard, who is a highly experienced academic with expertise in international education, returned to lead the university’s Malaysian campus in October last year. He was among a handful of Monash academics who set up the original Sunway campus in 1998; the first foreign university campus to be established in Malaysia.

Professor Pollard said the campus has embarked on a major reorganisation aimed at developing itself into a premier private research-intensive university, contributing to Malaysia and the region. “The Monash Sunway campus, which turns 10 this year, views itself as also a Malaysian education institution and is keen to contribute to the development of Malaysia by sharing its experience and expertise in the higher education sector.”

Being the only university in Malaysia ranked among the top 50 universities in the world by the Times Higher Education Supplement’s World University Rankings 2007, Monash is well poised to aid Malaysia in its aspirations to become a regional education hub. “ Malaysia has been a great location for Monash University and we have very strong confidence in its ability to achieve its ambition of becoming an education hub.”

In its next development phase, a key priority for the university is to expand its research capacity. As a research-intensive university, Monash is looking to increase and expand existing research relationships with public universities in Malaysia as well as regional universities. These collaborations will help place Malaysia at the centre of research and development activity in the region.

A key component in this effort is the development of research capability through investments in research infrastructure and by creating a pool of able and active researchers. “We hope that various initiatives being taken on campus in this area will create an excellent place for researchers to build their careers,” said Professor Pollard.

Monash can also contribute to the development of teaching and learning excellence. The university, which is ranked very highly in terms of student outcomes, has spent much effort on documenting and sharing best education practices at the university level. “The campus has already initiated an annual national-level workshop on teaching and learning excellence to share best practices and new approaches to improve students’ teaching and learning experiences.”

Other areas in which Monash aims to add value to include structural development activities like the development of national standards, best practices and benchmarks.

Professor Pollard said the campus is also strengthening its student outcomes by improving student experiences and ensuring that new courses offered are in line with the needs of industry and Malaysia.

The expansion of Monash University’s facilities in Malaysia will support an increase in the number of foreign students. “The significant proportion of foreign students & staff, helps our students to increase their exposure to different cultures and enrich their learning experience.”

“As an international university, Monash encourages the mobility of staff and students between its eight campuses in three countries. This helps in the internationalisation of thinking and the development of human capital, thus supporting Malaysia’s ambition of developing a global knowledge-based economy.”

Professor Pollard also placed great importance on student participation in university administration, with the aim of developing a community of scholars who are able to contribute to the campus and the community at large.

“Our students have always actively engaged the campus administration and we are now increasing their role in this area. We hope that by increasing student participation in decision making, they will develop their leadership skills.”

“Furthermore, Monash University is invested in actively engaging the communities in which it is situated. This is a very important social initiative for the university and we hope to see an expansion of such activity at the Sunway campus to increase our engagement with Malaysia in particular and the region in general.”

–by Jasbir Singh.