UOW Malaysia KDU recently began an initiative to engage with the ASEAN member states embassies in Kuala Lumpur. While international students from Southeast Asia have traditionally been accepted into the programmes offered at UOW Malaysia KDU, this engagement series brought a more focused and structured approach to managing future international marketing campaigns in the Southeast Asian region.
This initiative was spearheaded through the good offices of the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia His Excellency Andrew Goledzinowski and Ms. Srii Gunaseelan, Business Development Manager, (Education), Australian Trade and Development Commission (AUSTRADE). The High Commissioner sent personal invitations to the Ambassadors of nine ASEAN member countries based in Kuala Lumpur. The response from these Embassies was overwhelmingly positive.
Due to the covid pandemic, the meetings were conducted online. To-date briefings have been conducted with the Embassies of Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam, while those for Cambodia, Singapore and Myanmar are pending.
At these briefings, Professor Hiew Pang Leang, Vice Chancellor of UOW Malaysia KDU University College (UOWM KDU UC) Glenmarie campus gave an introduction to UOWM KDU UC, the programmes offered in the Glenmarie and Penang campuses and pathways from Malaysia to UOW campuses in Wollongong, Dubai and Hong Kong. Staff in the marketing and international office were present to respond to queries about support for international students and scholarships. Initial contacts with the Australian High Commission and AUSTRADE were coordinated by Ms. Brenda Lee, Head, Special Projects and Initiatives, Vice Chancellor’s Office, UOWM KDU UC Glenmarie.
This project not only culminated in direct links with the Education Attaches in the Embassies of these ASEAN member states; it has also opened the doors to future in-country promotional events and linkages with the Ministries of Education of these countries. There are exciting possibilities to look forward to from the connections established from this engagement series.