{
  "id": 16751909,
  "title": "China still tops list of international students in Malaysia, but other markets are growing, says EMGS",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/china-still-tops-list-of-international-students-in-malaysia-but-other",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-27T13:12:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/27/china-still-tops-list-of-international-students-in-malaysia-but-other-markets-are-growing-says-emgs/240837"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 — The data from Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) reveals that while China still leads as the primary source of international students in Malaysia, other regions are experiencing significant growth. In 2023, China accounted for roughly 41 percent of applications, but this figure has since dropped as Malaysia attracts students from various other markets. By 2025, the share of China among applications had decreased to less than 37 percent. During the first four months of 2026, China's share dropped to around 27 percent.\n\nThe global trend towards diversification is evident in regional figures. Applications from South Asia and Central Asia grew by 41 percent in 2025, South-east Asia by 28 percent, Africa by 20 percent, and the Middle East and North Africa by 19 percent. Over the past decade, EMGS has received applications from 189 countries, indicating a broadened international student community.\n\nEMGS chairman Datuk Ahmad Shalimin Ahmad Shaffie emphasized the importance of expanding Malaysia's international student base and ensuring that international students receive a fulfilling education experience. He highlighted Malaysia's 14th global ranking as an international education destination, welcoming nearly 180 countries.\n\nTo achieve this, EMGS has been conducting marketing activities across seven regions, including recent efforts in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Kenya, Türkiye, and Central Asia. These activities encompass education fairs, forums, international exhibitions, school visits, and counselor engagements. Additionally, EMGS is prioritizing ASEAN countries such as Indonesia and nearby regions like South Asia.\n\nStrengthening existing partnerships while exploring opportunities in emerging markets is crucial for Malaysia to broaden its international student community. EMGS is also advancing student mobility programmes and scholarship initiatives to facilitate this growth. The recent increase in mobility students from France, up from 827 in 2025 to 939 in 2026, underscores continuing interest in Malaysia for short-term study experiences.\n\nFurthermore, Malaysia's higher education sector is gaining international recognition. Universiti Malaya ranks 56th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, while Sunway University stands at 11th globally for International Outlook. These achievements reinforce the importance of maintaining academic quality and fostering international cooperation. Student pass applications are streamlined through digital submissions, document verification, and academic screening, with EMGS ensuring processing takes 14 working days. Dedicated support for international students, including AI-powered assistance and round-the-clock services at International Student Arrival Centres, helps ease their transition to Malaysia.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 — While China remains Malaysia’s largest source of international students, the Educatio...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}