Advanced Algorithms and Blockchain to Verify International Student Qualifications in Malaysia

Malaysia Targets 250,000 International Students by 2025 with Admission Overhaul

Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, Malaysia's higher education minister, announced on January 9 that the international admissions process would be centralised to authenticate and standardise the qualifications of international applicants seeking entry to Malaysian institutions. During his speech at the University of Technology Malaysia, Zambry emphasized the ministry's commitment to verifying the legitimacy of international students' qualifications as part of a centralisation effort outlined in the transformation agenda. He shared that a dedicated committee had been formed to implement the changes, and discussions are underway on the system’s rollout. The system will use advanced algorithms and blockchain technology to verify qualifications instantly.

The Education Minister stated that the Ministry would work with applicants' home countries to ensure a smooth, secure admission process. While the Malaysian Qualifications Agency currently manages international admissions, he suggested that the process could be made more efficient. Since 2012, Malaysia's Ministry of Higher Education has aimed to establish the country as an international education hub, attracting students from across Asia. Although the pandemic disrupted the goal of enrolling 200,000 students by 2020, the target is now set at 250,000 by 2025.

Education Malaysia reported a notable increase in interest from East Asian students in 2023, with 29,195 applications received, compared to 23,818 the previous year. A significant portion of this increase came from China, where 26,627 applications were received, a considerable rise from the 21,975 Chinese students who had studied in Malaysia in 2022. Before the pandemic, in 2019, there were 14,142 applications from East Asia, with 12,174 of those coming from China. These transformation efforts are designed to boost Malaysia's status as an international education hub, attracting more students from across Asia and contributing to the country's educational and economic growth. Additionally, these changes are poised to make the admission process more efficient and reliable, benefiting both students and institutions.

Editor's Note:

The steps taken by the Malaysian government to centralise and streamline the international admissions process, to ensure the authenticity and standardisation of qualifications. By centralising the process and using advanced algorithms and blockchain technology, the government aims to verify the legitimacy of international students' qualifications more effectively. This ensures that only qualified students are admitted, maintaining the integrity of the education system. Along with this, the current international admission process managed by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency can be made more efficient.By improving the admissions process, the government hopes to attract more students from across Asia and beyond. This contributes to the country's educational and economic growth. Overall, these steps are designed to enhance Malaysia's reputation as a premier destination for higher education, supporting the goal of enrolling 250,000 international students by 2025.

Skoobuzz believes that this transformation aligns with broader strategies to boost Malaysia's educational and economic development.