David FitzPatrick, CEO and Provost, University of Nottingham Malaysia
The University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) was established in 2000 as the UK’s first overseas branch campus, after an invitation from Malaysia’s Ministry of Education, in collaboration with Boustead Holdings and YTL Corporation. Located in Semenyih, Selangor, the 48-hectare campus offers the whole Nottingham experience in an Asian setting, delivering UK academic excellence through innovative teaching and a global perspective. Today, UNM boasts a vibrant and diverse student community, with over 4,000 students from 74 countries.
What are some of your organisation’s proudest moments/milestones in Malaysia?
Celebrating 25 years in Malaysia, we are most proud of the over 18,000 graduates who have benefited from a UK education closer to home. We are also pleased that over 90% of our graduates secure jobs directly after graduation and earn up to 2x more than the average. (UNM’s Graduate Destination Survey, June 2023). We are also proud to have been awarded a ‘Competitive’ rating in the SETARA 2022 assessment by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), reflecting our strong performance in delivering quality education. Additionally, we received a 5-Star rating for Research Excellence under the Malaysian Research Assessment (MyRA), reflecting our world-class research achievements and impactful contributions across our core areas of expertise. In 2025, we were Talentbank Graduate Employability Index’s top choice among leading employers, earning 6-star ratings in key disciplines like Chemical and Mechanical Engineering. We also ranked 12th globally for Pharmacy and Pharmacology, and placed in the Top 100 for Mechanical Engineering, Education, and Economics, reflecting our academic excellence and global outlook.
Describe your operations and total investments in Malaysia (value, staff strength, etc.) to date.
UNM delivers high-quality, impact-forward research and education activities, leveraging our global network with local in-market expertise. Since the beginning of our operations in 2000, we have invested significantly into research and development (R&D), infrastructure, student experience and graduate talent, most notably through capacity building and facilities in our 48-hectare Semenyih campus. Home to over 4,000 students with the support from around 600 academic and professional staff, the UNM academic body positively contributes to national economic impact, generating multiplier effects through graduate employment, university spending, job creation, tax contributions, as well as world-class research outputs. For instance, in 2024 alone, our Research and Knowledge Exchange hub secured 70 new research grants worth over RM15m in research and partnership contributions. This stands as a reflection of our long-term commitment to education, innovation, and talent development, as we continue building global industry links and producing competitive graduates.
Based on your overall experience of doing business in Malaysia, name the advantages and challenges of doing business in Malaysia.
Malaysia’s strategic location in Southeast Asia provides access to regional markets. For example, 40% of our new students are international, with the majority of them coming from Asia. Malaysia has a diverse, skilled workforce, strong government support, and modern infrastructure, making it an attractive investment hub for higher education. However, some of the common challenges international branch campuses face include ensuring alignment with local accreditation standards and competing in a market with rising private and public education providers. Overall, Malaysia remains a promising environment for the higher education sector with the right local partnerships and a commitment to quality.
What did you do or are still doing to overcome these challenges?
Overcoming the challenges mentioned, particularly accreditation and competition involves a dual approach. We actively engage with the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), going beyond basic compliance to align our programmes with Malaysian standards by thoroughly reviewing learning outcomes and curriculum relevance. Simultaneously, our strict internal quality checks, guided by the UK campus with external examiners, ensure international academic rigour. This blend of meeting local needs and upholding global excellence is the key to providing a valuable education in Malaysia’s competitive environment.
How do you see your business growth and prospects in Malaysia?
We envisage significant business growth from international student recruitment, offering new programmes relevant to the requirements of businesses in Asia, and our new Executive Education programmes, which strategically addresses the increasing demand for upskilling executives and organisations. Research and commercialisation are a key focus area for the university, and we have four signature strengths namely renewable energy, health and wellbeing, food resilience and water security. Underpinned by emerging technologies, our approach is centred on delivering innovative solutions that move from concept to commercial application—contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future.
What are the top 3 reasons for your organisation joining the BMCC?
Joining BMCC has provided us with fantastic opportunities to network and collaborate with like-minded businesses and educational institutions. It’s also been a great resource for gaining insights into the Malaysian business environment, economic trends, and how these impact the education sector. Additionally, we also value BMCC’s advocacy and its efforts in shaping policies that influence both the business and education landscape here in Malaysia.
What is the top value you see for yourself or your organisation in being a member of the BMCC?
Being a BMCC member has given us enhanced connectivity within Malaysia’s business and policy circles. It’s a great way to boost our visibility and create collaborative partnerships, all of which support sustainable growth and valuable knowledge exchange.
In one sentence, how would you describe your own experience or your organisation’s experience as a member of the BMCC?
Our BMCC membership has effectively integrated UNM into Malaysia’s broader business network, offering both understanding and opportunities for collaboration.
