Photo/Illutration The then Malaysian Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, second from left, and Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Katsuhiko Takahashi, third from left, sign a memorandum for government cooperation regarding the establishment of the University of Tsukuba’s branch campus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in March 2023. (Provided by University of Tsukuba)

The University of Tsukuba will open a branch campus in Malaysia in September, the first time that a Japanese university will open a Japanese-degree granting program abroad, according to the education ministry. 

The branch in Kuala Lumpur will be named the “School of Transdisciplinary Science and Design,” the university announced at a regular news conference in January.

The Branch Campus Preparation Office said that the program aims to nurture students’ capacity to address various global concerns, including environmental issues, discrimination, peace and poverty.

The university will accept 40 students per academic year. It plans to conduct an entrance exam in Malaysia for students from that country and its neighboring nations.

The curriculum, taught in English and Japanese, will introduce data science skills in stages. The school also plans to offer classes about Japanese culture.

The opening of this branch campus was sparked by the 2018 summit between the leaders of Malaysia and Japan.

Mahathir Mohamad, the prime minister of Malaysia at the time, had a strong interest in Japanese education. He requested the establishment of a branch campus so that students could learn Japanese culture, work ethics and values.

An official from the branch campus preparation office said, “We hope to take a leading role in helping Japanese universities collaborate with overseas educational institutions and companies to improve their education models and expand Japanese-style higher education globally.”

The school also plans to accept Japanese students.

To help universities become more international, the education ministry will launch a new program in the 2024 academic year starting in April to subsidize universities that create environments abroad where local students and Japanese students can study together.

The program aims to “expand Japanese university education overseas, enhance its recognition and strengthen the system to nurture and attract outstanding students,” according to the ministry.

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