Malaysia’s premiere education hub offers quality education from renowned universities at a fraction of their cost in their home countries.
A token of appreciation by Managing Director of Educity Iskandar Malaysia to Prime
Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak. Photo: Courtesy Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB).
Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak has officially launched what has been billed as “Malaysia’s best-in-class education hub”, according to a media statement from Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB).
Called, EduCity Iskandar Malaysia, the education hub is one of the catalytic industries that IIB has spearheaded to spur the growth of Iskandar Malaysia.
Situated within a 600-acre flagship education hub in Nusajaya, Johor, EduCity is run via IIB’s subsidiary company, Education@Iskandar Sdn Bhd (EISB).
The launch was held in conjunction with the Gen-Y Fest organised by Johor Elected Representatives’ Wives Association (JUITA).
The premier launched Iskandar Malaysia’s education hub after signing the official plaque at EduCity’s stadium and sports complex.
“We have to prepare the younger generation so that they will continue to lead our country to achieve greatness,” Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, said at the launch.
“The Prime Minister’s presence to officially open EduCity is a momentous event as it demonstrates the significance of this educational initiative to Malaysia’s future. Through EduCity, we offer students the opportunity to obtain a top-quality education at some of the best global institutions right here in the heart of Iskandar Malaysia,” said Joanne Jacinta Oei, managing director of Education@Iskandar Sdn Bhd (EISB).
Top-notch education hub
Model of the Stadium & Sports Complex. Photo: Courtesy of IIB.
EduCity comprises top global universities and institutes of higher education, academia-industry research and development centres, as well as accommodation and recreational facilities.
Back when it was first conceptualised in 2008, IIB has put in place stringent requirements such that each education institution is only allowed to offer the best course that the various institutes and universities are renowned for.
For example, Newcastle University of Medicine Malaysia (NuMed) and the University of Southampton Malaysia Campus will only offer Medicine and Engineering courses respectively.
Institutions that are already up and running include NuMed, University of Southampton Malaysia Campus, Netherlands Maritime Institute of Technology and Marlborough CollegeMalaysia.
The cost of studying at these universities in EduCity is about 40 per cent cheaper (Khalil Adis, Property Report, “Iskandar Malaysia On the Rise”, January 2011 issue) compared to studying in their respective countries.
Although EduCity is like a ghost town when night falls, it is set to be buzzing by 2018 – just in time when the Rapid Transit System (RTS) connecting to Singapore’s MRT will start operation just next to LEGOLANDTheme Park.
According to IIB, the next three years will see four more tertiary institutions opening.
They include the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS), Raffles University Iskandar, University of Reading, the Multimedia University in collaboration with University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, as well as one additional international school, Raffles American School.
The property sector around EduCity has also received a significant boost with Ujana as home to foreign university lecturers.
Three-bedroom condos in Ujana are currently transacting for around RM4,000 a month.
For an RM800,000 unit, this represents a rental yield of 6 per cent.
EduCity is also for Johoreans
Newcastle University of Medicine (NuMed) offers degree course in Medicine. The cost of studying here is 40 per cent cheaper than studying in the United Kingdom. Photo: Khalil Adis.
Also present at the ceremony were Y.Bhg Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Chief Minister of Johor, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
According to IIB, several leading international universities and schools are now educating students in key industries and sectors at EduCity.
IIB said EduCity is strategically designed to act as a talent pool for the booming development region of Iskandar Malaysia.
Participants of the Gen-Y Fest were students from all over Johor who took part in the many activities specially organised to appeal to the generation.
Some of the activities include creative workshops, auto shows, football & swimming clinics as well as sports activities such as biking, motocross, wall climbing and the flying fox challenge.
The 1-day fest ended with a car decoration competition and a lucky draw.
I write | Khalil Adis 