From Nazira Hasanah Nasaruddin
ASTANA, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- Applications from students in Kazakhstan to pursue studies in Malaysia have increased by 45 per cent, reflecting the country's significant potential as one of Malaysia's key higher education markets in Central Asia.
Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) chief executive officer Novie Tajuddin said Kazakhstan is now categorised as a “primary market” by EMGS, requiring greater efforts to increase the number of students from the country studying in Malaysia.
“Based on the research we conducted, we found that Central Asia, not only Kazakhstan, is a location with high potential.
“This is evident from the applications received by EMGS from Kazakhstan, which recorded an increase of 45 per cent compared with previous years,” she told Bernama on the sidelines of the Malaysia-Central Asia Higher Education Forum 2026 (MAHEF 2026), held here since Sept 25.
She said there are currently about 1,400 students from Kazakhstan in Malaysia, but EMGS has yet to set a specific target for the number of students from the country, as this depends on the effectiveness of various initiatives being implemented and planned.
Novie said EMGS' promotional efforts in Kazakhstan currently cover Astana, Almaty and Shymkent, and would be expanded to explore the country's market potential more comprehensively.
She said follow-up initiatives agreed upon by Malaysia and Kazakhstan included expanding transnational education (TNE), including twinning and dual-degree programmes between universities in both countries, as well as increasing student mobility.
The targeted cooperation also focuses on agriculture, nuclear energy, logistics, transport and mining.
“This cooperation needs to benefit both countries. Malaysia can assist Kazakhstan in areas where it is needed, while at the same time, we also look at what can be learned from Kazakhstan,” she said.
Meanwhile, Higher Education Department director-general Datuk Prof Dr Azlinda Azman said there are currently 3,716 students from Central Asian countries in Malaysia, with more than 1,400 of them from Kazakhstan.
She said cooperation through dual-degree, double-degree, twinning and micro-credential programmes had the potential to expand following stronger higher education ties between Malaysia and the region.
“We expect more dual-degree, double-degree and twinning programmes to expand. This also opens opportunities for flexible education, as we aspire to under the Malaysia Higher Education Plan 2026-2035,” she said.
Azlinda said Malaysia and Kazakhstan had also agreed to hold an annual joint committee meeting on higher education to monitor the implementation of agreed initiatives, as well as identify immediate areas of cooperation, including research, innovation and talent development.
Malaysian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Mohd Adli Abdullah described the development as a new chapter in Malaysia-Kazakhstan higher education diplomacy, with both countries aspiring to strengthen their respective positions as education hubs in Southeast Asia and Central Asia.
He said the Joint Committee Meeting on Higher Education in Malaysia next year was expected to maintain the momentum of cooperation built, with the Malaysian Embassy in Kazakhstan continuing to serve as a strategic link between higher education institutions in both countries.
MAHEF 2026, organised by EMGS, brings together higher education stakeholders from Malaysia and Central Asia to strengthen cooperation, including in student mobility, transnational education, research and talent development.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir was in Kazakhstan for an official visit from Sept 25 to 27, which included participation in MAHEF 2026 and several meetings to strengthen higher education cooperation between Malaysia and the Central Asian country.
-- BERNAMA