Nottingham Malaysia Launches Future Students Centre in Central Petaling Jaya

UNM’s Future Students Centre brings the essence of UNM closer to you, with an accommodation showroom and a scale model of its campus.

Updated 12 Oct 2023

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In a move to bolster Malaysia's ambition of becoming a thriving international higher education hub and to facilitate student enquiries, University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) has launched a Future Students Centre at Menara Axis that’s right in the heart of Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

For more than 23 years, UNM has been a pioneering institution as the first branch campus of a British university established outside the UK. With over 15,000 alumni from 70 countries, it has cultivated a diverse and global community. The Future Students Centre complements UNM’s existing roots in Malaysia and aligns with the Malaysia Education Blueprint for higher education to enrol 250,000 international students by 2025.

More than just a physical space, the Future Students Centre brings the essence of UNM closer to you. It houses an accommodation showroom that offers prospective students a glimpse of the modern, comfortable living spaces at UNM’s campus. There is also a scale model that showcases UNM's cutting-edge facilities and vibrant campus life. The excitement doesn't end there. The centre boasts an event space equipped with state-of-the-art technology for conferences, meetings and workshops, accommodating up to 100 people.

"The opening of this centre marks an important development in the University of Nottingham Malaysia’s 23-year history in Malaysia," said Professor Sarah Metcalfe, Provost and CEO of University of Nottingham Malaysia, at the official launch of the new Future Students Centre. "We believe that we have something special to offer and opening this centre is part of telling our potential future students about that, whilst supporting the Malaysian government’s initiative to attract 250,000 international students by 2025. The centre marks our determination to reach out, instead of just relying on our existing reputation for excellence. It is part of our strategy to grow and engage, based on a focus on people and partnerships."

"As a university we must change to match the changing needs of our students, their potential employers and, of course, the needs of Malaysia and the wider region. UNM is committed to this and looking forward to the next 23 years,” she added.

Recognising the importance of bridging the gap between science and arts, UNM also actively engages with students through STEM carnivals nationwide. These events aim to pique interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects among students from various backgrounds. Additionally, they have also introduced the innovative STEAM concept, which combines STEM and arts to equip students with cross-disciplinary skills for the ever-evolving job market.

Partnerships with industry-academia organisations such as the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and PIKOM further enhance curriculum design, sharing invaluable resources and contributing to the dynamic development of the technology ecosystem. Additionally, UNM's collaboration with industry giants such as Sarawak Energy and NVIDIA underscores its commitment to translating research into real-world progress.

As a sign of a steadfast commitment to Malaysia's educational landscape, UNM has outlined a comprehensive five-year growth strategy that revolves around six key pillars — People, Education, Research and Knowledge Exchange, Student Experience, Global Engagement and Environmental Sustainability. The overarching objective is to enrich the student experience, nurture teaching and learning excellence, and cement UNM's position as a leader in academic and research excellence, both regionally and globally.

Through research, collaborations and innovative approaches to education, UNM is paving the way for Malaysia to excel on the global stage as an international higher education hub and a hub for STEM education.