Page 26 - AEI Insights Vol. 7 2021

AEI Insights, Vol 7, Issue 1, 2021

Networks and networking
The second theme observed by the interviewees was networks and networking. Interviewees
believe that the AEP is the right platform to create more networks in higher education
collaboration and would enable Malaysia to interact with networks in Europe and Asia. A
respondent from a top research university in Malaysia indicated that “we are a member of 40
networks, active in all networks and the benefits go to staff, lecturers and students and it finally
influence the internationalisation”. Meanwhile, another respondent from one of the research
universities in the north of Malaysia highlights that networks can assist to enhance facilities
(infrastructure and lab facilities) for the use of students and faculty members. The networks
also assist higher education institutions to achieve community engagement goals. Another
important element that makes networks stronger is the credit transfer system. According to a
senior officer of an agency under MOHE, the European Union Support to Higher Education in
the ASEAN Region (SHARE) is an exemplary project under ASEM platform that strengthens
system-to-system integration and facilitates ASEAN Credit Transfer System and ASEAN-EU
Credit Transfer System. The interviewees appeared convinced that the credit transfer system
within ASEAN, inter ASEAN-EU and among ASEM partners could enhance
internationalisation efforts in Malaysian higher education institutions.

Meanwhile, in terms of networking, the AEP motivates exchanges and effective cooperation
as well as provides a platform for improvement in understanding of other ASEM partner
countries’ higher education systems. Networking “brings together leaders, researchers and
policymakers within that region to collaborate and exchange ideas to face the challenges of
st
the 21 century” according to a respondent from a top university in Malaysia. “The
establishment of branch campuses of European universities in Malaysia shows the learning
commitment between the two regions” stated by a senior officer responsible for
internationalisation in MOHE. The networking opportunities between the ASEM partners,
including Malaysia, enhance inter-university cooperation. A senior administrator of a research
university in the southern part of Malaysia indicated that networking becomes a part of
internationalisation strategies such as benchmarking, reciprocal research and grant
opportunities. The interviewees claimed that interregional cooperation such as the AEP helps
the internationalisation of higher education in Malaysian higher education institutions. In
supporting this, a senior director in charge for TVET and lifelong learning education said that
“the inter-regional cooperation is vital for the creation of relationship and networking. This
will help our universities to bit external funding such as from Erasmus+. Besides that, strong
networking will enhance the confidence and profile of lectures, staff as well as students”.
Under this development, a senior officer responsible for international relations opined that
ASEM should move from cultural exchanges to academic exchanges so that the ASEM
education cooperation can bring greater success in higher education cooperation in both regions
which at the end can benefit Malaysian higher education internationalisation.

Exchange programmes

The movement of staff, students and faculty members from one country to another through
various exchange programmes through the AEP becomes a third theme that can improve the
internationalisation process in Malaysian higher education. Interviewees highlighted that
international cooperation in higher education promotes exchanges such as joint research and
short-term and long-term students and staff exchange programmes. A senior officer heading
the strategic planning sector of MOHE expressed that the AEP encourages a working together
attitude between two regions and mentioned that “Asia-Europe Institute (AEI) is an example,
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