Pearson and Universiti Malaya Forge Strategic Collaboration to Enhance International Education Opportunities

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearson, the world's leading learning company this week signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Universiti Malaya (UM), aimed at UM to achieve its internationalisation goal through a robust partnership.

This collaboration will pave the way for several initiatives, including student and academic staff exchanges, joint research activities, as well as an exchange of publications, reports and other academic materials and information.

This strategic alliance underscores Pearson's commitment to supporting Malaysian universities and the Malaysian Government in attracting a diverse pool of international students through its high-stakes English language proficiency test. The Pearson Test of English (PTE) had provided testing for thousands of students from over 40 nationalities across 47 countries and territories, who are keen to pursue their education in Malaysia.

"We are delighted to partner with Malaysia's top university, ranked 60th in the world to support their international education goals, while at the same time, supporting Malaysia's ambition to become a global education hub, with a target to attract 250,000 international students by 2025," said Matthew Lampkin, Director PTE Asia at Pearson.

"I am particularly pleased that through this MoU we are offering a scholarship with UM which covers GBP 3,000, plus combining our research powers to support UM academics and students alike."

"Today marks a significant milestone as Universiti Malaya and Pearson Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. join hands to elevate educational standards and create boundless opportunities for our students. This strategic partnership and the Pearson Test of English and Universiti Malaya Scholarship Campaign underscore our shared vision of nurturing talent and fostering academic excellence. Together, we are committed to empowering our students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world." said Professor Dr Yatimah Alias, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), Universiti Malaya

This MoU is an extension of Pearson's already deep ties with Malaysia, supporting thousands aspiring students coming to the country through the delivery of the Pearson Test of English across over 450 test centres in 115 countries globally, including six in Malaysia.

New data released by Pearson today shows out of those test takers:

Mr Lampkin added: "The impact towards local economy is tremendous when these international students choose Malaysia to study and live as their preferred study destination. In Malaysia, PTE Academic is accepted by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) for international student admissions into all public and private universities and colleges.

"UM, renowned for its academic excellence and vibrant multicultural environment, is an ideal partner for Pearson PTE in this endeavour. Together, we aim to create a dynamic educational ecosystem that attracts, nurtures, and empowers students from around the world."

About Pearson

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our c.20,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's leading learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are.

Visit us at pearsonplc.com 

About Pearson PTE

PTE is a trusted test of English language proficiency that opens doors for individuals to study, work or live aboard. It operates in an addressable market of over £900m and has secured a strong position as a top three player.

Recognised as proof of English proficiency by over 3,500 universities, including Harvard and Yale, PTE is trusted by the Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and UK governments for all visa classes.

Last year, over one million test takers trusted PTE to help them accurately prove their English proficiency and enrol in higher education or secure employment abroad.

The test is available at over 475 secure VUE centres globally, and offers fast results, typically available within 48 hours.

PTE is recognised by leading professional bodies in industries such as nursing and engineering. Test taker migration helps to fill critical skills gaps in the health, engineering and information technology sectors.

PTE uses a unique combination of AI scoring and human expertise. This approach leverages the precision and objectivity of machine learning alongside the expertise and judgement of human examiners, ensuring fair and accurate results.

About Universiti Malaya

UM is the country's first university. Following the passing of the University of Malaya Act in 1961 by Parliament, UM was recognised as a public university. UM, as it is known today, was officially made a public university in the Federation of Malaya on 1 January 1962. 

UM is supported by two academies, fourteen faculties, two institutes and one academic centre that encompass medicine, science, technology, social sciences and humanities. The university also houses Malaysia's first and biggest teaching hospital - UMMC. In addition, the Research Cluster had been formed to drive further breakthroughs in knowledge. The emphasis on research is strengthened by the presence of centres of excellence at several of its learning centres. 

Universiti Malaya (UM) has made a significant achievement by securing a position among the top 60 universities globally in the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (QS-WUR) for 2025. This accomplishment marks a 5-place improvement from the previous year and a notable 10-place climb since the 2023 rankings. This new ranking positions UM in the top 4% of the 1,503 institutions evaluated by QS globally.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Pearson and Universiti Malaya Forge Strategic Collaboration to Enhance International Education Opportunities

SINGAPORE, Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With translucent white light illuminating the stage and silk curtains drawn low, the twelve heroines of A Dream of Red Mansions gracefully swayed their way forward, leading the audience into a shared dream. As the performance concluded, actors took multiple bows amid continuous applause and cheers that lasted for over ten minutes. On the evening of September 13, original ethnic dance drama by Jiangsu Centre for the Performing Arts, A Dream of Red Mansions made a stunning international debut in Singapore. From September 13 to 15, the play was performed four times, sparking a new wave of interest in "Oriental Aesthetics" and successfully telling the story of Chinese culture. Cao Zhongming, China's ambassador to Singapore, attended the performance and went on stage afterward to express his appreciation and gratitude to the performers. He remarked, "A Dream of Red Mansions was a sold-out event in Singapore, reflecting the deep affection people have for this work. It also demonstrates that A Dream of Red Mansions has many admirers here in Singapore. This is a vivid example of the high-quality cultural exchanges between China and Singapore, and I believe it will further strengthen the bonds of cultural and human connections between the two countries."

The ethnic dance drama A Dream of Red Mansions was academically guided by the A Dream of Red Mansions Research Institute at the Chinese Academy of Arts, planned by Jiangsu Cultural Investment & Management Group Co., Ltd, presented by Willow Arts, produced by Jiangsu Centre for the Performing Arts, and co-produced by the Nanjing Ethnic Orchestra and Li Xing Studio. It draws deeply from the rich soil of traditional Chinese culture, using classical symbols and modern aesthetics to deconstruct, integrate, and reinterpret this timeless classic. Since its premiere in 2021, the production has toured 32 Chinese cities, with over 250 performances, creating a buzz where each show was sold out, and tickets were hard to come by.

With twelve heroines, twelve high-backed chairs, twelve small stools, twelve colors, and twelve bouquets of flowers, the production employs a rich vocabulary of dance, combined with music, stagecraft, lighting, and costume design to vividly depict iconic scenes such as the "Illusory Land of Great Void," "The Emperor's Consort Yuan Returns to Visit Her Family," and "Daiyu Buries the Flowers." The result is an artistic feast full of Oriental classical aesthetics, transporting the audience across time and space.

"The entire performance was captivating; it truly was a feast for the eyes and ears," remarked Low Eng Teong, Chairman of Singapore's National Arts Council. He felt that the unique interpretation of the drama vividly brought out the essence of A Dream of Red Mansions.

"I finally understand why some audience members come back to watch the same play multiple times," praised Sabrina Long, Dean of Faculty of Art & Design and Principal in School of Young Talents at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. She was deeply impressed by the performance, stating, "Every inch of detail on stage, every moment of the entire production, was captivating and mesmerizing. Every angle offers a new perspective, making each presentation unique. It is a deeply poetic work, and I was profoundly moved."

For some foreign audience members unfamiliar with the story of A Dream of Red Mansions, the dance drama not only allowed them to gain a deeper understanding of this classic but also gave them an unforgettable evening where they experienced the beauty and charm of Chinese culture.

"In Singapore, I rarely get to see performances like this, and I found it very interesting," said foreign audience member Mark. He admitted that he was previously unfamiliar with the background of A Dream of Red Mansions, adding, "What impressed me most today was the choreography of the group dances. I'm going to read up more about this Chinese story when I get home."

Wang Hongjun, Chairman of Jiangsu Cultural Investment & Management Group Co., Ltd, said, "Singapore has a strong cultural foundation, and through these two days of exchanges, we have seen a rising interest in A Dream of Red Mansions here. We hope that by staging this international performance, Singaporean audiences will have more opportunities to appreciate the beauty of traditional Chinese culture and to understand the innovative explorations and contemporary expressions that our young artists have infused into this work."

"We hope to bring this classic work to the international stage through the medium of dance drama, so that more people can appreciate the profoundness of Chinese traditional culture and to further promote cultural exchanges between China and Singapore," said Liao Yi, General Manager of Jiangsu Centre for the Performing Arts. He noted that the successful execution of A Dream of Red Mansions has allowed Jiangsu Centre for the Performing Arts to explore a path of collaborative production with multiple creative partners, with the ultimate goal of building a production-oriented performing arts center.

For this performance, an exhibition titled "Seeking Beauty in the Dream" showcasing the creative designs behind A Dream of Red Mansions, along with beautifully displayed costumes and cultural merchandise, was arranged outside the theater, drawing many audience members to stop by and take photos.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

The Spectacular Premiere of Jiangsu's Original Ethnic Dance Drama A Dream of Red Mansions in Singapore