“In Malaysia, the first focus is on the mark and getting the top score. Yet we are trying to teach students that there are other ways of learning. Eventually, they become less focused on just the marks, and instead want to make sure they understand the topic in its entirety, not just what will be on the exams. They ask questions and try to improve their knowledge, which is really important. This shows that they are thinking about what they are learning,” says Jason.
The transnational education experience on offer gives students the opportunity to be exposed to different learning styles and to be challenged in new ways. Many lecturers believe that this approach is critical in ensuring that universities produce the type of graduates that businesses are now looking for.
The students study an Australian Victoria University degree program on campus at Sunway University Malaysia under the guidance of both local and international lecturers. Coordinators visit from Australia for several intensives throughout the year and they oversee the delivery of the program content.
Jason believes that the Australian learning approach is the most balanced that he has experienced. “In the UK, degrees are very specific and structured, in the US you can choose your subjects from a very broad pool, so students tend to be stretched across disciplines. I believe the Australian approach and its balance of coursework and examinations shows more flexibility and students respond well to this method,” says Jason.
Transnational programs in Malaysia attract people from all over the globe with students coming from Indonesia, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Botswana, Mauritius and the Middle East. This diverse mix of nationalities provides some great opportunities to better understand the many cultures represented.
Due to such cultural diversity, the dynamics in class are often interesting and complex. Yet it is this very experience that challenges the student’s mindsets and forces them to see things differently. Whilst they may not be comfortable with it at first, they grow from it and become more open minded.