China still tops list of international students in Malaysia, but other markets are growing, says EMGS

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 — While China remains Malaysia’s largest source of international students, the Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) said applications from other countries are growing.

EMGS chairman Datuk Ahmad Shalimin Ahmad Shaffie said China accounted for approximately 41 per cent of applications in 2023, but the proportion has since declined as Malaysia attracts students from more markets.

“By 2025, East Asia as a whole, including China, accounted for less than 37 per cent. In the first four months of 2026, China’s share stood at approximately 27 per cent.

“Alongside continued growth in total applications, these figures indicate an increasingly important contribution from other markets,” he said in a statement.

Ahmad Shalimin said regional figures further reflected this growing diversity.

“In 2025, applications from South Asia and Central Asia each grew by 41 per cent, while South-east Asia recorded 28 per cent growth, Africa by 20 per cent and the Middle East and North Africa by 19 per cent.

“Over the past decade, EMGS has received applications from 189 countries,” he added.

He said this was why the question raised by Gareth Liu Zi Yuan in his article, “More international students, but from where?”, published in Malay Mail on October 22, deserved attention.

“We welcome the discussion on broadening Malaysia’s international student community and ensuring that those who come here receive a rewarding education and experience.

“Malaysia is ranked 14th globally as an international education destination, welcoming students from nearly 180 countries. That reach provides a strong foundation,” he said.

However, Ahmad Shalimin said Malaysia must now strengthen existing connections, develop opportunities in underrepresented markets and ensure international students have good reasons to recommend the country after graduation.

He said EMGS conducts marketing activities across seven regions, with more than 50 programmes worldwide each year.

“Education fairs, forums, international exhibitions, school visits and counsellor engagements connect Malaysian institutions with students, families and education partners across different markets.

“Recent efforts have included Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Kenya, Türkiye and Central Asia, alongside participation in the European Association for International Education exhibition in Glasgow,” he said.

Ahmad Shalimin said engagement with neighbouring ASEAN countries, particularly Indonesia, and nearby regions such as South Asia remained a priority.

“These efforts also include creating more accessible pathways for students through mobility programmes and scholarship opportunities.

“By strengthening established partnerships while developing opportunities in emerging markets, Malaysia can broaden its international student community and build lasting education connections,” he said.

He added that student mobility programmes were also strengthening Malaysia’s ties with Europe.

“The number of mobility students from France increased from 827 in 2025 to 939 in 2026, a rise of 13.5 per cent, reflecting continued interest in Malaysia for short-term international study experiences,” he said.

Ahmad Shalimin said Malaysia’s international education presence was also expanding through local universities operating overseas.

“UCSI University’s campus in Dhaka, established in 2023, became Bangladesh’s first approved foreign university branch campus.

“It brings Malaysian education closer to students in their home country while strengthening the international presence of our institutions,” he said.

He said these developments reflected the growing international recognition of Malaysia’s higher education sector.

“Universiti Malaya is ranked 56th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and joint 194th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027.

“Sunway University’s position as 11th globally for International Outlook in the latter rankings further illustrates the international engagement of Malaysia’s public and private institutions,” he said.

“For prospective students, these achievements help make Malaysia’s educational strengths visible. For our institutions, they reinforce the importance of sustained academic quality and international cooperation,” he added.

On student pass applications, Ahmad Shalimin said EMGS facilitates digital submissions, document verification, academic screening and application tracking, while the Immigration Department of Malaysia remains the approving authority.

“EMGS’s published processing charter is 14 working days for complete applications. Alya, our AI-powered assistant, also answers queries around the clock, helping students navigate visa requirements and application procedures.

“Upon arrival, the International Student Arrival Centres (ISAC) at KLIA Terminals 1 and 2 provide round-the-clock assistance before immigration clearance, including guidance on access to dedicated lanes.

“This dedicated support helps students navigate their first experience in Malaysia with greater confidence,” he said.

He also said EMGS offered internship opportunities to international students, having welcomed interns from Iran, Myanmar, Indonesia, Turkmenistan and several African countries.

“These placements provide opportunities to apply knowledge, develop professional skills and experience a Malaysian workplace.

“Support from higher education institutions is equally vital through career guidance, industry partnerships and internship opportunities that prepare students for their future careers,” he said.

Ahmad Shalimin said internationalisation also benefited Malaysian students studying alongside their international counterparts.

“Shared classrooms, research and community activities expose students to different perspectives and help them build international networks within their own campuses.

“As Malaysian universities become better known abroad, employers and academic partners become more familiar with their qualifications and expertise.

“The relationships developed through education can support future research, institutional cooperation and professional opportunities,” he said.

He added that international graduates also helped strengthen Malaysia’s global connections.

“Their experiences influence what families, colleagues and future students understand about Malaysia. They become informal ambassadors whose achievements and personal stories give our higher education sector a human face,” he said.

Ahmad Shalimin said studying in Malaysia should offer international students more than just an academic qualification.

“Learning alongside people from different backgrounds, participating in community life and navigating new experiences can nurture empathy, resilience and a stronger sense of responsibility.

“Our ambition is for students to leave with the knowledge to pursue their careers and the character to contribute meaningfully to society, carrying a lasting connection with Malaysia wherever life takes them,” he said.

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吉隆坡，10 月 27 日——尽管中国仍然是马来西亚最大的国际学生来源国，但马来西亚全球教育服务中心 (EMGS) 表示，来自其他国家的申请数量正在增长。

EMGS主席拿督艾哈迈德·沙利明·艾哈迈德·沙菲表示，2023年中国学生约占申请人数的41%，但随着马来西亚吸引更多来自市场的学生，这一比例此后有所下降。

“到2025年，包括中国在内的整个东亚地区的市场份额将不足37%。2026年前四个月，中国的市场份额约为27%。

他在一份声明中表示：“随着应用总量的持续增长，这些数据表明其他市场的贡献也越来越重要。”

艾哈迈德·沙利明表示，区域数据进一步反映了这种日益增长的多样性。

“到 2025 年，南亚和中亚的申请量分别增长了 41%，东南亚增长了 28%，非洲增长了 20%，中东和北非增长了 19%。

“过去十年间，EMGS 收到了来自 189 个国家的申请，”他补充道。

他说，这就是为什么刘子元在10月22日发表于《马来邮报》的文章《国际学生增多，但来自哪里？》中提出的问题值得关注的原因。

“我们欢迎就扩大马来西亚国际学生群体以及确保来此学习的学生获得有益的教育和体验展开讨论。

“马来西亚在全球国际教育目的地排名中位列第14位，吸引了来自近180个国家的学生。如此广泛的覆盖面为学生提供了坚实的基础，”他说道。

然而，艾哈迈德·沙利明表示，马来西亚现在必须加强现有联系，在代表性不足的市场中开发机会，并确保国际学生毕业后有充分的理由推荐马来西亚。

他表示，EMGS 在七个地区开展营销活动，每年在全球范围内开展 50 多个项目。

“教育展、论坛、国际展览、学校访问和辅导员交流活动将马来西亚的教育机构与不同市场的学生、家庭和教育合作伙伴联系起来。

他说：“最近的努力包括斯里兰卡、印度尼西亚、肯尼亚、土耳其和中亚地区，以及参加在格拉斯哥举行的欧洲国际教育协会展览会。”

艾哈迈德·沙利明表示，与邻近的东盟国家，特别是印度尼西亚，以及南亚等附近地区的接触仍然是优先事项。

“这些努力还包括通过流动计划和奖学金机会，为学生创造更多可及的途径。

他表示：“通过加强现有伙伴关系，同时在新兴市场开发机遇，马来西亚可以扩大其国际学生群体，并建立持久的教育联系。”

他还补充说，学生流动计划也加强了马来西亚与欧洲的联系。

他说：“来自法国的交换生人数从 2025 年的 827 人增加到 2026 年的 939 人，增长了 13.5%，这反映出人们对马来西亚短期国际学习经历的持续兴趣。”

艾哈迈德·沙利明表示，马来西亚的国际教育影响力也在通过开办海外的本地大学不断扩大。

“UCSI大学达卡校区成立于2023年，成为孟加拉国第一个获得批准的外国大学分校区。

他说：“这让马来西亚的教育更贴近本国学生，同时也增强了我们院校的国际影响力。”

他表示，这些发展反映了马来西亚高等教育领域日益受到国际社会的认可。

“马来亚大学在2027年QS世界大学排名中位列第56名，在2027年泰晤士高等教育世界大学排名中并列第194名。

他说：“在后一项排名中，双威大学的国际视野位列全球第11位，这进一步说明了马来西亚公立和私立机构的国际参与度。”

“对于未来的学生来说，这些成就有助于展现马来西亚的教育优势。对于我们的院校而言，这些成就也强化了保持学术质量和国际合作的重要性，”他补充道。

艾哈迈德·沙利明表示，关于学生准证申请，EMGS 提供数字化提交、文件验证、学术筛选和申请跟踪等服务，而马来西亚移民局仍然是最终的审批机构。

“EMGS公布的处理期限为14个工作日，适用于完整的申请。我们的AI助手Alya也全天候回答问题，帮助学生了解签证要求和申请流程。

“抵达后，吉隆坡国际机场 1 号和 2 号航站楼的国际学生入境中心 (ISAC) 将在入境检查前提供全天候协助，包括指导如何使用专用通道。

他说：“这种专项支持有助于学生更有信心地应对他们在马来西亚的第一次经历。”

他还表示，EMGS 为国际学生提供实习机会，曾接待过来自伊朗、缅甸、印度尼西亚、土库曼斯坦和几个非洲国家的实习生。

“这些实习机会为学生提供了应用知识、发展专业技能和体验马来西亚职场的机会。”

他说：“高等教育机构的支持同样至关重要，它们可以通过职业指导、行业合作和实习机会来帮助学生为未来的职业生涯做好准备。”

艾哈迈德·沙利明表示，国际化也使马来西亚学生与国际学生一起学习受益。

“共享的教室、研究和社区活动让学生接触到不同的观点，并帮助他们在自己的校园内建立国际网络。

“随着马来西亚大学在海外知名度的提高，雇主和学术合作伙伴也更加熟悉它们的资质和专业知识。

他说：“通过教育建立起来的人脉关系可以为未来的研究、机构合作和职业发展机会提供支持。”

他还补充说，国际毕业生也有助于加强马来西亚的全球联系。

他说：“他们的经历影响着家人、同事和未来的学生对马来西亚的了解。他们成为了非正式的形象大使，他们的成就和个人故事让我们的高等教育领域更具人情味。”

艾哈迈德·沙利明表示，在马来西亚学习应该为国际学生提供的不仅仅是学历证书。

“与来自不同背景的人一起学习，参与社区生活，体验新事物，可以培养同理心、韧性和更强的责任感。

他说：“我们的目标是让学生们带着追求事业所需的知识和为社会做出有意义贡献的品格离开学校，无论他们未来身在何处，都能与马来西亚保持持久的联系。”

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