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Home of the Bright. Land of the Brave

Di Sini Bermulanya Pintar, Tanah Tumpahnya Berani

Top Global Universities Navigate room to enrich the campus with diverse Research thrives when top minds from
Student Mix international talents with a defined limit. around the world collaborate. As seen
at NUS, with over 60% of the faculty are
Every leading university in the world All these models reflect the similar strategic
today faces the dual mandate of nurturing approach to ensure local talents are international, such diversity introduces
new expertise and global networks that
domestic talent and welcoming global prioritised, developed and appreciated. strengthen institutional capacity.
talent, a reality that is undeniable. All these top universities have modest
international undergrad numbers, usually Tangible benefits are also felt by local
Different models of balancing
internationalisation needs and local well below 25%, to ensure local students students, as those who engage with
are not pushed out or at a disadvantage.
international peers develop better cross-
preservation reflect similar challenges and
solution-making processes. In National Most importantly, where international cultural communication skills and broader
University of Singapore (NUS), as a highly students are brought in, it is often perspectives.
international campus, 36% of its student through separate pathways independent By selectively and strategically inviting
body are foreign nationals concentrated of local quotas, via distinct international global talent, this development can be
mainly at the postgraduate level and 65% programme quotas, twinning further enhanced. When done right,
of its faculty are internationals. arrangements, or graduate-level internationalisation does not take away
recruitment, among others, rather than from local education, it adds value to it.
This global drive has advanced NUS’
research output and reputation, but does occupying the seats usually reserved for The key phrase is “done right”, with mindful
policies in place to ensure inclusion does
locals.
not come at the expense of its local
national needs. Singapore ensures locals At UM, we do the same. become intrusion.
remain a majority at undergraduate level, The underlying principle is the same: A globally diverse campus gradually
capping the proportion at 17%. produces globally competent graduates,
The presence of international students is
In other words, NUS achieved global strategically structured so as not to impact an asset for any nation in the 21st century.
eminence, all while keeping roughly four in or reduce local undergraduate intake.
five undergrads Singaporean.
When done right, this yields a balanced Putting Malaysians First, While Being
Universitas Indonesia (UI), Indonesia’s and mutually synergised outcome: A Globally Present
premier university, also admits international campus enriched by global talent and Malaysian universities remain fully aware
students, who make up about 18% of its expertise, alongside a student body that that nation-building is their core mission.
enrolment including many postgraduates reflects and serves the home country, The public concern surrounding top-
and offering international programmes in advancing local talents, empowering local performing students missing out on local
English and has dual-degree tie-ups. Like opportunities, enhancing social mobility university placements is being taken
Malaysia, it keeps the primary bachelor and driving knowledge development. seriously. The way forward lies in continued 143
programmes mainly for locals. The Nation-building and the recognition of progress and improvement. Admissions
vast majority of its 40,000 students are homegrown talents remain the central and processes have always been merit-
Indonesians, fulfilling its national mission priorities. based and transparent, as reaffirmed by
and obligation to its people first. the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE).
As Thailand’s top university, Chulalongkorn Why a Global Campus Matters In the 2025 intake cycle, out of 109,000
University has an overwhelmingly local applicants, approximately 78,800 (72%)
student body. The vast majority of its One might ask why Malaysian universities secured placement in public universities
36,000 students are Thai, and it has tried to are bringing in international students or via the UPU system. Notably, all 1,255
diversify by establishing more international faculty, especially when local demand STPM candidates who achieved a perfect
programmes and exchange partnerships, remains high. Local talents have always CGPA of 4.0 were guaranteed a university
but the baseline is that Thai students enjoy been prioritised, especially at the place (although not all received their
almost all the undergraduate seats. undergraduate level, but this is not a zero-
sum game. The presence of foreign talent first choice programmes). This reflects a
University of California, Los Angeles and expertise is strategically structured to genuine effort to accommodate as many
(UCLA), one of the top public universities operate in parallel, to act as a catalyst in local students as possible. However, it
in the world, is also practising a balanced positioning the nation as the global hub for is understood that not all will be offered
system. their preferred courses. What matters is
research and academic excellence, and
Its international students are only 7%- to complement efforts to develop local that every qualified student has a pathway
– if not at UM, then at another excellent
8% of total undergrads, where this policy capabilities.
came after concerns that too many spots A degree today encompasses far more public university in Malaysia. This should
serve as a national recognition of our
were going to higher-paying foreign than conventional classroom learning, it homegrown talents.
students.
is a necessary preparation for a globalised
By capping their numbers, UCLA assures world. The presence of international The point remains: All top-performing
that at least 82% of freshman seats go students and academics goes beyond students in Malaysia must be
acknowledged and rewarded. The public
to local students, keeping faith with the the pursuit of rankings and recognition, university system will continue to ensure
public. it fosters a vibrant ecosystem of shared
learning, where diverse ideas and that local talent is rightfully and duly
Even with this cap in place, UCLA recognised and supported, for they are the
maintains its global prestige and still perspectives intersect. future of our nation.
attracts top international scholars in Knowledge creation gains depth when
graduate and research roles. students from different countries At UM, we will never waver in our
commitment to serve as the nation’s
contribute varied viewpoints, sparking
This example portrays a formal way to set flagbearer, championing and advancing
ratios: Guarantee the majority share of new debates and advancing intellectual both the country and its people.
discourse.
opportunities to locals, while still leaving