Kuala Lumpur:Applications from students in Kazakhstan to study in Malaysia have surged by 45 percent, highlighting Malaysia's potential as a key higher education destination in Central Asia.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) chief executive officer Novie Tajuddin stated that Kazakhstan is now considered a 'primary market' by EMGS, which necessitates increased efforts to boost the number of Kazakhstani students in Malaysia. Research by EMGS indicates that Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, presents high potential for educational engagement, as evidenced by the significant rise in applications.

Currently, around 1,400 students from Kazakhstan are studying in Malaysia. EMGS has not set a specific target for increasing these numbers, as it depends on the effectiveness of ongoing and planned initiatives. Promotional activities in Kazakhstan currently focus on the cities of Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent, with plans to further explore market potential.

Malaysia and Kazakhstan have agreed on initiatives such as expanding transnational education (TNE), which includes twinning and dual-degree programs between universities, as well as enhancing student mobility. The cooperation also targets sectors like agriculture, nuclear energy, logistics, transport, and mining.

Higher Education Department director-general Datuk Prof Dr Azlinda Azman noted that Malaysia hosts 3,716 students from Central Asia, with Kazakhstan contributing over 1,400 students. There is potential for growth in dual-degree, double-degree, twinning, and micro-credential programs under the Malaysia Higher Education Plan 2026-2035.

Malaysia and Kazakhstan will hold annual joint committee meetings on higher education to monitor agreed initiatives and identify cooperation areas such as research, innovation, and talent development. Malaysian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Mohd Adli Abdullah emphasized the importance of these developments in strengthening Malaysia-Kazakhstan higher education diplomacy.

MAHEF 2026, organized by EMGS, aims to enhance cooperation between Malaysia and Central Asia in areas such as student mobility, transnational education, research, and talent development. The Higher Education Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, visited Kazakhstan from September 25 to 27, participating in MAHEF 2026 and meetings to bolster educational cooperation.