University of Tsukuba opens overseas campus in Malaysia in a significant milestone move
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Loading... - Tatsuki Kita
- 05 Sep 2024
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The University of Tsukuba has officially inaugurated its first overseas campus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, marking a significant milestone as the first Japanese university to establish an international branch that grants degrees. The new campus, named the "School of Transdisciplinary Science and Design," welcomed its initial cohort of 13 students—seven from Malaysia and six from Japan—who will pursue a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree through a four-year curriculum.
The Malaysian Higher Education Minister, Zambry Abdul Kadir, expressed his country's honor in hosting the campus during the launch ceremony. He highlighted Malaysia's ongoing ambition to be a strategic destination for Japanese businesses and educational institutions. This initiative aligns with Malaysia's broader efforts, which began in 2018 under then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, to encourage Japanese universities to establish branches in the country. Mahathir, known for his "Look East Policy," aimed to emulate Japan's postwar development model to bolster Malaysia's growth and provide Southeast Asian students with access to Japanese education at a more affordable cost.
The University of Tsukuba's new department offers a multidisciplinary approach to education, with classes conducted in both English and Japanese. The curriculum includes courses on data science, environmental sciences, and the Japanese language, which is a mandatory subject. The campus will eventually accommodate up to 40 students per intake, supported by around 40 faculty members from Japan.
Located within the premises of the University of Malaya, Malaysia's top university, the Tsukuba campus aspires to produce graduates with a strong foundation in data science and the ability to integrate knowledge from natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences to tackle global challenges. Kyosuke Nagata, the president of the University of Tsukuba, emphasized the goal of developing well-rounded individuals who can apply interdisciplinary approaches to address pressing global issues.
