DISTED College, the first private college in Penang 35 years ago, is providing further opportunities for students by establishing a strategic partnership with the prestigious University of Canterbury in New Zealand.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow witnessed their collaboration announcement at Disted College in Macalister Road today, saying the higher education sector plays an invaluable role in realising Malaysia’s target of becoming a high-income nation.
He added that Malaysia’s position as an education hub is consolidated further through initiatives such as the Disted-UC collaboration.
“Given that the University of Canterbury is well known for its Engineering and Science programmes, with its Civil Engineering programme ranked 9th in the world (Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2021) and DISTED College holds the distinction of being Penang’s first private college and is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, I am confident that such synergy will not only contribute towards achieving the aspirations contained within the Malaysian Education Blueprint 2015–2025 but one that will also complement Penang’s 50 years of industrial excellence and beyond.
“The establishment of a partnership with the University of Canterbury will enhance access to higher education, by allowing students to commence their studies in Penang before seamlessly pursuing undergraduate degree studies in New Zealand.
“This will significantly lower the cost of education and broaden the range of available degree opportunities.
“The College’s mission of seeking to collaborate to ensure graduates are change-makers and support the creation of a sustainable and inclusive world is a welcomed reflection of the Penang2030 vision.
“With Penang being an ideal place to live and study, as evidenced by the increasing number of foreign students who choose to make this state their home away from home, it is hoped that this collaboration will attract students from across Southeast Asia and the world to study in Penang before proceeding to higher-level studies,” Chow said in his speech.
Chow also said talent and expertise for Penang have become ever more important since the state’s industrialisation journey has grown from strength to strength.
The state has a robust manufacturing ecosystem in place as well as gained a reputation as the Silicon Valley of the East which flourishes with the steady presence of, and strong interest from global investors.
Chow said it is also absolutely critical that the available talent pool and educational standards available in Penang are of the utmost quality possible.
He was earlier warmly welcomed on his arrival by the New Zealand High Commissioner Pam Dunn, Disted College chief executive officer Prof Dr Brian C. Imrie, Disted College president Prof Dr Vikneswaran Nair, Education New Zealand regional director Ben Burrowes and other staff members.
Others present included Pakistani Honorary Consulate General Datuk Seri Abdul Rafique bin Abdul Karim and the University of Canterbury, Business School internationalisation coordinator Siti Karina.
The theme of the partnership announcement event was ‘Enhancing Student Mobility Towards Solving Future Global Challenges’.
Imrie said the University of Canterbury was Disted’s selected partner due to its sustained commitment to academic excellence, international reputation, and a wide array of bachelor’s degree options.
The University of Canterbury, he said, has an outstanding, AACSB accredited, business school and is also well known for its Engineering and Science programmes, with its Civil Engineering programme ranked 9th in the world (Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2021).
“At Disted College, we are committed to nurturing change-makers, who have a genuine impact upon creating a more inclusive and sustainable world,” Imrie said.
“The challenges ahead are immense, but so are the opportunities.
“As part of nurturing future problem solvers, we recognise that students need to be exposed to a variety of cultural and learning experiences.
“As such, a study abroad opportunity for at least part of a student’s university-level studies can be a beneficial element in shaking students out of their comfort zones and opening their eyes to the world from other people’s perspectives.
“Disted is particularly known for excellence in the provision of a range of pre-university and diploma programmes, with many A-levels graduates having attained ‘Top-in World’ status.
“Partnering with a leading international university, such as the University of Canterbury, will enable a more accessible route to a broader range of bachelor’s degree studies than that available at home. This agreement seeks to further expand the diversity of study and career options available to Penangites.”
Dunn said New Zealand has now re-opened to visitors from visa-free countries, including Malaysia, and would re-open to international students in the weeks ahead.
She added that the partnership between Disted College and the University of Canterbury would not only offer Malaysian students an advanced route to UC’s Bachelor of Commerce degree but also was a testament to the efforts of both sides to re-ignite the education relationship.
“We are proud of our highly qualified and diverse academic faculties. Several New Zealand institutions are ranked in the top 100 globally in their subject areas.
“Just as we aim to provide the world with the highest quality milk, honey and kiwifruit, so we are committed to ensuring our education services globally are of the same high standards.
“We are living through a time of great change. The future will demand innovation and creativity if we are to meet complex problems ranging from climate change to food security and tackling future health pandemics.
“New Zealand’s education system and cutting-edge research and development mean we are well placed to nurture future leaders and equip them to meet 21st-century challenges,” Dunn said.
Burrowes said the Disted-UC partnership is one of the many that underscores New Zealand’s long-standing relations with Malaysia and aims to encourage deeper cross-cultural awareness and friendship between the two nations.
He said in 2019, the Economist Intelligence Unit ranked New Zealand’s education system first among English-speaking countries and third in the world for delivering a future-focused education (out of 50 economies).
He said the New Zealand government has announced it would fully reopen its borders from July 31.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Law Suun Ting