Kuala Lumpur:The Malaysia-Central Asia Higher Education Forum 2026 (MAHEF2026) and the Study in Malaysia Education Fair are part of a strategic effort to enhance educational cooperation between Malaysia and Kazakhstan, with the goal of attracting more Kazakh students to study in Malaysia.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) CEO Novie Tajuddin explained that the two platforms offer distinct yet complementary strategies. MAHEF2026 focuses on ministerial-level government cooperation, while the education fair directly engages potential students.
MAHEF2026 facilitates discussions on student mobility and involves high-level participation to gain flexibility with Kazakh sponsorship bodies. Novie Tajuddin noted that these discussions are paving the way to ease criteria supporting targeted higher education cooperation between institutions from both countries.
EMGS regional director Raja Fariz Raja Eyuddin reported a significant increase in interest from Kazakh students, with applications rising from 240 in 2022 to 1,300 this year. This surge indicates a growing appeal of Malaysian education, attributed to quality education at an affordable price and Malaysia's status as a safe country. The Malaysian alumni network in Kazakhstan also plays a crucial role by acting as ambassadors to promote educational opportunities.
The education fair has been organized over 15 times in Kazakhstan, typically held twice a year in spring and autumn. Alua Aimagambetova, a Kazakh alumna of Albukhary International University in Malaysia, highlighted her education's impact on her professional development and career opportunities. She praised Malaysia's cultural diversity for helping her adapt to a global environment.
Zhasmin Khantemir, a current Kazakh student at University College Sedaya International (UCSI), emphasized the importance of educational quality, affordability, and safety in her decision to study in Malaysia. Her positive experience has led her to advocate for Malaysian education through social media and to introduce her sisters to Malaysian universities.