Mutual Recognition / Equivalence of University Degree between Malaysia and India

The recent MOU that was signed between MQA (Malaysian Qualification Agency)  and AIU (Association of Indian Universities) witnessed by the Prime Minister of Malaysia of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak and Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi on the  Mutual Recognition / Equivalence of University Degree between Malaysia and India is indeed a historical one for both the Nations. This development effectively open opportunities for Malaysian students to seek tertiary education in the 750 odd Universities in India and at the same time allows Indian students to seek further studies in Malaysia. It is expected to see significant increase in the mobility of students from current less than 2000 students to about 10,000 by end of the 2018.

GOPIO Malaysia hosted a briefing session on the above Mutual Recognition on the 19 April 2017 at the Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Indian Cultural Centre for about 50 NGOs. The session was graced by representative from High Commission of India and leaders / committee members of the 50 Indian based NGOs. Mr Chandrasegaran, CEO of Edu India, who gave the briefing, pointed out that it is important that the message on the mutual recognition of degrees between Malaysia and India reaches the community at large. He further pointed out that for Malaysian students who wish to study abroad can opt for India as their tertiary destination, as many Indian Universities are of world class in quality and can be obtained at much affordable cost. Similarly as the equivalence of credits has been sorted out by both Country’s the qualifying agencies, the mobility of for post graduate studies between Malaysia and India will be seamless.

It is important to understand that in the 60s and up to the early 80s, there were more than 55,000 Malaysian Indian students seeking tertiary education in India across all disciplines. Over the years the number had since dwindled to a mere 1000 odd students (mainly Medical and Dental) due to non- recognition of degrees from Indian Universities. Since then mental make of our youth to look at India for further studies has drastically diminished. Now, with this recent historical development on recognition / equivalence of degrees, we need to reach-out and engage our community to change the mental make or mind-set to look at India for world class tertiary education at affordable cost. A revolutionary awareness has to be created. No doubt it is an uphill task but GOPIO believes with committed and synergistic effort of all NGOs the much needed awareness and eventual change can be initiated collaboratively

GOPIO has initiated a GOPIO Education Unit to look into reaching out campaign. We invite NGOs, educationist, individuals etc. to give input so that an effective concept and model can be formulated to engage our community. It is definitely possible if it is a collaborative effort.

It is our fervent hope that the all relevant NGOs can assist in this effort so that the mind set of our community to look at India for tertiary education as another affordable option can be emphasizes so that opportunities can be taped on a wider scale. It is indeed a ‘from community to community’. We need to put our minds together and let it happen.

A Ravendiran Arjunan

President GOPIO Malaysia