Outpost in Malaysia aims for 10,000 students

Monash University Malaysia (MUSM), the first offshore campus of Monash University, Australia, says it is going to build a much larger campus in Bandar Sunway within two years, writes Geoffrey Parkins.

MUSM pro-vice chancellor Bob Bignall said the new campus would initially accommodate 5,000 students and eventually up to 10,000. MUSM targets overseas as well as local students.

MUSM was created in 1998 and enrols about 800 students twice a year, sharing facilities with Sunway College. The expansion is in line with the university's plan to turn MUSM into a mature university.

Professor Bignall, who took over this month, said MUSM offered eight degree courses and plans to offer postgraduate programmes soon. All students have the opportunity to study a year at Monash.

Former pro-vice chancellor James Warren said that as well as promoting itself as a centre for educational excellence, Malaysia should consider making itself the regional hub for postgraduate studies because it has the expertise and facilities to do so.