Malaysia explores work-experience degrees as entry requirements to attract foreign students

By Remie OTIENO

Malaysia is exploring new policies to attract international students by integrating up to 15 years of work experience into its mainstream higher education system, though the specifics are still in development.

Speaking in Nairobi during the just-concluded ‘Study in Malaysia’ summit, the Chief Executive (CEO) of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), Dato’ Prof. Dr. Mohammad Shatar, reiterated the need to move the country’s education sector from a ‘conventional higher education’ to an ‘alternative pathway to higher education,’ if the Southeast Asian nation is to compete effectively at the global stage.

“This is our thinking right now as an agency and as a country, and we believe it will give opportunities to individuals who have extensive work experience to legitimately earn their degrees, up to PhD level,” said Shakar.

Across developed countries like the UK, US, and Canada, the model (work-experience degrees) is becoming a popular entry requirement in selected universities, primarily because it bridges the gap between academic knowledge and the practical skills demanded by the modern, rapidly evolving job market.

This is because a growing number of employers, particularly multinational firms, increasingly prioritize candidates who can demonstrate immediate competence and adaptability in a real–world setting, especially in crucial sectors like technology, health sciences, and creative arts, among others.

Strong courses across Malaysian universities include Engineering (especially Electrical, Petroleum, and Civil), Business and Management, Computer Science and Information Systems, and Hospitality and Leisure Management. Other notable fields are Health Sciences, IT, and Applied Sciences, like Environmental and Biotechnology, driven by current and future economic needs.

Malaysian universities are globally recognised for strong courses like electrical engineering in electrical, petroleum and civil engineering, as well as Business and Management, Computer Science and Information Systems, and Hospitality and Leisure Management, with Applied Sciences like Environmental and Biotechnology now emerging, being driven by current and future economic needs.

The Africa Higher Education Forum 2025 (MAHEF2025–Africa) campaign, coinciding with the visit of the Malaysian Prime Minister to Kenya, Anwar Ibrahim, is an African-focused higher education drive championed by the Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) and the High Commission of Malaysia in Kenya, which aims to position the Southeast Asian nation as a leading global education hub.

More than 10 Malaysian universities took part in the education forum.