Malaysia launch: British High Commissioner inaugurates campus

Thursday, 25 February 2016

British High Commissioner to Malaysia Vicki Treadell

The University of Reading Malaysia (UoRM) and Henley Business School Malaysia was inaugurated today by the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Vicki Treadell.

More than 400 guests, staff and students attended the formal opening ceremony in the University's state-of-the-art purpose-built campus at EduCity, Iskandar. The focus of the day’s proceedings was the ‘Heartspace’, which is a green space based on the Whiteknights campus.

Honorary degrees were awarded to the High Commissioner and Ong See Lian – the first non-British President of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and a University alumnus.

Earlier this week, the UK government launched its 12 month ‘GREAT Year of Education’ campaign to promote British education in Malaysia. The campaign aims to strengthen higher education, college and school exports to Asia.

Her Excellency Vicki Treadell said that British education was becoming increasingly accessible with the offer of transnational education where one can pursue a British qualification outside Britain.

“Over 58,000 individuals are studying for a British qualification in Malaysia, making Malaysia Britain's largest market for transnational education. University of Reading Malaysia is the latest of five British universities with campus here in Malaysia, and I am pleased to see it playing a role in delivering education excellence."

Vice-Chancellor Sir David Bell described it as a momentous day for the University and Henley Business School. “We are celebrating our 90th anniversary this year and Henley's 70th - but this is an ambitious and clear statement of intent for the future.

"This magnificent, state-of-the-art campus means we can project our world-leading research and teaching across Asia, while offering our students and staff outstanding opportunities to study and work abroad."

UoRM builds on established teaching and research partnerships in Malaysia, including the first joint UK/Malaysia law degree with Taylor's College in Kuala Lumpur which began in 2009.

Professor Tony Downes, Provost, UoRM said, “The 21st century will be the 'Asian Century' and this is a long-term investment in Malaysia's economy, society and people.

"Our first-class teaching and research means we are giving graduates the knowledge, skills and experience they need to excel. We are engaging with industry, education and public policy partners across the country, as well as tapping into our very strong, engaged alumni base in Malaysia and across the region - all to equip the next generation in their chosen field.”

Malaysian government has an ambitious higher education expansion plan, aiming to attract 250,000 international students by 2025.

UoRM is the University’s first multi-disciplinary overseas campus and its fifth campus overall, alongside the Whiteknights and London Road campuses in Reading, and the Henley Business School sites at Greenlands and Johannesburg. The new facilities will educate up to 3,000 students, with ambitions to extend beyond the current building into new space at EduCity.

The first foundation and undergraduate courses in business, finance, psychology, real estate and quantity surveying started last September, with Henley Business School’s MBA starting this month. All students are guaranteed the option to study from a term up to one year of their degree in Reading, while UK-based students can transfer to study in Malaysia.

Also on the launch of University of Reading Malaysia: