Global graduations
LJMU has established strong relationships in South East Asia over recent years, and a mark of this success is the annual graduation of students in Malaysia. This year over 450 graduands and guests gathered at the Prince Hotel and Residence, Kuala Lumpur, joined by the University’s partner institutions including:
- Kolej Teknologi YPC-ITWEB
- Tunku Abdul Rahman College
- TMC Singapore
- KPJ International College of Nursing and Health
- MAHSA College
LJMU’s partnerships in Malaysia span various industries from construction and property development to education and pharmaceutical companies. As well as an established presence in South East Asia – the University has an office in Kuala Lumpur and has been working with partners in the region since the 1950s – international commercial activities have grown in recent years with customised contracts in Shanghai and India as well as with professional organisations, such as FIFA.
Professor Peter Byers, LJMU Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education commented: "LJMU has established strong relationships in South East Asia, and we will continue to build stronger ties to the region as part of our reinvigorated approach to international affairs. I was delighted to sign agreements on this visit for further development of our undergraduate programme provision in the region. This further extends the reach we have established in Malaysia and broadens the strong profile that LJMU enjoys in South East Asia."
New employability initiatives
A successful pilot of the University's World of Work Programme, funded by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education, has already been completed with Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Malaysia’s largest public university and resulted in the formation of a new World of Work Malaysian Employer Advisory Group. This Group includes senior managers from GlaxoSmithKline, HSBC, Deloitte, ICAEW and Shell. Their input helps ensure that LJMU’s employability programme is specifically tailored to Malaysia’s economic needs.
An international student experience
In line with the University’s core aim of Social and Economic Engagement, the Malaysia office offers the opportunity for LJMU students to increase their exposure to different cultures and work practices via both short-term and year-long exchanges and internships.
Sophie Blackshaw, a BA English student, spent a month at YPC College, a large local HEI, commented: “I would highly recommend a South East Asia placement. The LJMU South East Asia Office were very supportive in searching for a placement that fitted with what I wanted to do and the University was supportive in helping me while I was out there too. I worked in a college that runs LJMU programmes. During this time I worked on their social media marketing and their English Curriculum. I found the experience and skills gained invaluable.”
The University is actively engaged with International Partnerships and to date works collaboratively with 15 organisations across 11 countries including China, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Ireland, Isle of Man, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain and Sri Lanka.
