India-Malaysia Universities Explore Long-Term Academic Collaboration

By siliconindia | Tuesday, 16 December 2025, 08:53 Hrs

India-Malaysia Universities Explore Long-Term Collaboration in Education and Research

Universities from India and Malaysia discuss long-term partnerships in education and research.
Focus on dual degrees, joint PhDs, and collaborative research in STEM and business.
Opportunities to establish offshore campuses and enhance student and faculty exchange.

Chennai hosted the three-day Malaysia Higher Education Forum (MAHEF) 2025 starting Monday, bringing together 26 Indian and 17 Malaysian universities to explore long-term collaborations in higher education and research. The discussions focused on business and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs, aiming to create dual degrees, joint PhDs, and collaborative research publications.

The event was organized jointly by Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), the Malaysian Consulate General in Chennai, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), and Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences. MAHEF 2025 also aimed to highlight Malaysia as an educational hub for Indian students, particularly in medical, paramedical, and technology fields.

K. Saravana Kumar, Consul General of Malaysia to South India, said the forum would help universities share resources, faculty, and research expertise while preparing students for future global opportunities. Novie Tajuddin, CEO of EMGS, emphasized moving from short-term collaborations to more structured partnerships, including offshore campuses in both countries.

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Vinay Kumar Pathak, AIU President, highlighted potential collaborations in engineering, management, and infrastructure development, noting that joint research publications could boost global university rankings. AIU Secretary General Pankaj Mittal added that 15-20 foreign universities plan campuses in India, while 10-12 Indian universities have set up campuses abroad, signaling a significant step forward in cross-border academic cooperation.

The forum also featured addresses from N.M. Veeraiyan and Ashwani Kumar of Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, underlining the commitment of Indian institutions to global academic partnerships.