Australia Prioritises Education Investment In Southeast Asia - PM Albanese

By Siti Radziah Hamzah

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- Australia is prioritising greater investment in regional education as part of its Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said today.

He said the launch of Monash University Malaysia’s future campus in Kuala Lumpur marked another milestone in strengthening the education partnership between Australia and Malaysia.

“This is indeed a bold development. It represents an exciting step forward for Monash University Malaysia and further strengthens the bonds between our two nations. Australians and Malaysians are learning more about each other by learning alongside each other,” he said.

Albanese was speaking at the launch of the Future Monash University Malaysia Campus in Kuala Lumpur.

Also present were Malaysian Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Danielle Heinecke, Monash University president and vice-chancellor Professor Sharon Pickering and Monash University Malaysia president and pro vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman.

Albanese is currently on an official visit to Malaysia after attending the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits in the federal capital.

Monash University Malaysia will partner with TRX City to deliver its RM2.8 billion local investment into the new campus.

The investment is expected to contribute RM19.1 billion to the local economy over the next decade through direct investment and broader economic impacts across infrastructure, innovation, workforce, students and community.

The Prime Minister said Malaysia is one of Australia’s largest transnational education partners, hosting campuses of no less than four Australian universities.

He noted that Monash University Malaysia, established in 1998, was not only the first Australian university to open in Malaysia, but also the first international university from any nation to do so.

The campus has since grown into Monash’s largest and most successful branch outside Australia, reaching a record high in 2024 with over 11,000 students from 85 countries, 64 per cent of whom were Malaysians.

Albanese also commended his Malaysian counterpart Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for sharing the belief that education uplifts both individuals and nations.

“One of the reasons my government supports education, and I know my friend Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim does as well, is that access to education is not just about assisting individuals. It is about lifting an entire nation and benefiting its economic, social and environmental progress,” he said.

Since 2019, Monash University Malaysia and ASEAN research collaboration has expanded across key areas such as digital technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, climate change, green finance and healthcare, Albanese said.

-- BERNAMA