Thursday, 24 July 2025
As the University of Nottingham’s Malaysia campus celebrates its 25th anniversary, a new report has revealed the impact it has had in the quarter of a century since its establishment.
When University of Nottingham Malaysia was launched in 2000, it broke new ground for higher education, becoming the first fully-fledged overseas campus for a UK university. Five years later, the University of Nottingham’s Ningbo campus opened its doors cementing Nottingham’s position as the UK’s pioneering global university.
Driving Economic Growth in Malaysia
As the Malaysia campus marks this major milestone, the impact report offers a snapshot of the economic and social contribution it has made, underlining the significant benefits of transnational education.
The report reveals:
- In 10 years between 2015 and 2024, University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) had a total economic impact of £5.4 billion - £433.5 million in 2024 alone
- In 2024, UNM contributed £433.5 million to Malaysia’s economy and generated £112.3 million from university spending and £56.1 million from student spending
- UNM brought in £9.9 million in tourism spending and £6.6 million in taxation for the local economy in 2024, creating 19,515 jobs
- In 2024, UNM generated £12.4 million from its research and partnership activities
- UNM graduates are consistently sought after by the top 100 global brands and earn up to twice the average graduate salary in Malaysia
- In 2024, 97% of UNM graduates were in employment, further studies or enhancement programmes
The groundbreaking decision to open an overseas campus in Malaysia marked the beginning of a new era in global higher education and positioned the University of Nottingham as a pioneer in international academic collaboration; extending our academic reach, redefining the possibilities of transnational education and laying the foundations for others to follow.
UK’s Gateway to Higher Education in Asia
Professor Fitzpatrick added: “Since its establishment, UNM has remained anchored in the university’s core values of student-centred learning, research-led teaching and an unwavering commitment to relevance, innovation and global perspective.”
University of Nottingham Malaysia initially launched in September 2000 in premises in Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur but by 2001 its new campus was under construction around 20 miles away in Semenyih in the foothills of the Titiwangsa Mountains, Selangor. Designed to reflect the UK campus architectural identity – including its own Trent Building with iconic clock tower – it was completed in 2005.
Today it has a lively and diverse community of more than 4,000 students (59% local and 41% international) and 660 staff (89% local and 11% international).
UNM has formed a key component of the University of Nottingham’s tri-campus network providing academic collaboration between the UK, Malaysia and China, offering opportunities for increased student engagement, cultural affinity and educational exchange, while building a shared culture of research and innovation across borders.
Student mobility programmes between UNM and the university’s campuses in the UK and China offer transformative semesters abroad which reflect the power of international education to drive personal growth, professional development and global awareness.
A Hub for Innovative and Impactful Research
Over the last 25 years, UNM has developed signature research strengths in renewable energy, health and wellbeing, food resilience and water security which is having a tangible impact at a national and international level, contributing to policy dialogue with Government and informing decision-making at a state and federal level.
One example is the Management and Ecology of Malaysian Elephants (MEME) project, which is helping to encourage sustainable land use, generate elephant friendly policies and promote community tolerance to reduce human-elephant conflict.
With support from the United Nations Development Programme and the Kurita Foundation, UNM is developing innovative water treatment technologies to remove microplastics from domestic wastewater to reduce the growing risks to ecosystems and human health.
We are incredibly proud of our Malaysia campus which has been a pioneer for UK higher education in South East Asia and demonstrates the incredible transformative power of transnational education.
Professor Norman added: “This impact report demonstrates the difference that the campus, its students, academics and researchers are making both at a local level in Malaysia, contributing to the country’s health, wealth, sustainability and innovation, and at an international level tackling global challenges and playing a vital role in our commitment to being a university without borders.”
Celebrating a Silver Jubilee
The report is among high-profile activity planned to mark UNM’s silver jubilee which will include a gala dinner on 24 July and roundtable event taking place in Kuala Lumpur on 25 July focused on the value of transnational education, which will feature senior representatives from the university’s three campuses in dialogue with industry and research partners from the Asia Pacific region, the International Higher Education Team Commissioner and representatives from the British Embassy and British Council.
Learn more about the University of Nottingham Malaysia’s 25th Anniversary.
The Official UNM’s Impact Report is available here: https://www.nottingham.edu.my/events/25th-anniversary/index.aspx
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 97 in the world and 17th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the third most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2024 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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