1ST Japanese University opened in Malaysia

Japan’s Tsukuba University has opened its first overseas branch campus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, marking a significant step in the internationalization of its higher education system. The new campus, known as the School of Trans disciplinary Science and Design, was officially inaugurated on September 2, 2024, and is hosted within the University of Malaya.

This branch campus is ground breaking as it is the first to grant Japanese academic degrees outside Japan, offering four-year undergraduate programs in Japanese, English, and Malaysian, including the first Bachelor of Arts and Science in Malaysia. The initiative was first proposed in 2018 by former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, and has seen collaborative efforts between Japan and Malaysia come to fruition.

Currently, 13 students are enrolled, with a mix of Malaysians and Japanese. The campus aims to attract a larger international student body in the future. It features a faculty of 14 members from both institutions and offers courses in data science, natural sciences, humanities, and Japanese language and culture.

The University of Tsukuba is financing the campus’s operational costs, supported by a JPY 1.5 billion budget from the Japanese government aimed at establishing international branch campuses. This initiative aligns with Japan’s broader goal to increase international student numbers in Japan and promote global engagement among its students.

Officials express hopes that the branch will contribute to developing skilled individuals who can positively impact the world, while also enhancing the global visibility of Japanese education.