The new University of Adelaide, located in Adelaide, Australia, will officially launch the recruitment of Malaysians at an event in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

A member of the prestigious group of eight research-intensive Australian universities, the University of Adelaide offers students from around the world an innovative educational experience in an idyllic Australian setting.

Building on the world-class research and global partnerships of its founding institutions, Adelaide University aims to deliver the most accessible, contemporary and future-proof curriculum in Australia. Its transformative approach includes modular and stacked learning in a flexible academic calendar, a cutting-edge digital foundation using the latest technology, and rich face-to-face learning experiences.

The university’s close collaboration with industry is key to graduate outcomes. Study programmes are designed in partnership with industry partners, and work-integrated learning is embedded in every course of study, ensuring that graduates are prepared to succeed in the workplace.

The Malaysian delegation is led by Professor Jessica Gallagher, Vice-President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Relations) at the University of Adelaide, who is also responsible for Market and Partnerships at the University of Adelaide, and John Hill, Chancellor of the University of South Australia.

Today’s celebration will feature government, industry and agency partner representatives – including several participants from Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines. It will be a panel discussion on synergies between Malaysia and Australia, covering the education environment, skills gaps and research priorities.

Prof Gallagher says: “The University of Adelaide’s founding universities have a wonderful relationship with Malaysia through a rich history of transnational education, research collaboration, student exchanges and thousands of graduates. We look forward to deepening this strong Malaysian bond.

“The university comes at the perfect time to meet the needs of Malaysia. Digital literacy, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence will be cornerstones of the university’s curriculum. The University of Adelaide is ideally placed to capitalise on industry opportunities, with many technology companies based in the South Australian capital and a number of global technology companies recently having arrived there.”

As a newly established institution, Adelaide University is taking this unique opportunity to reimagine the modern teaching and learning experience. Degree creators have partnered with over 200 industry partners to co-create their programs to date – and this is just the beginning.

“We are committed to shaping the future of education through innovation and global relevance. Our graduates will be well-prepared to lead and succeed in a rapidly evolving job market. By integrating industry insights and advanced technologies into our programs, we aim to set new standards for graduate employability and success,” says Professor Gallagher.

An initial package of around 200 degrees is now available for admission, and more than 300 degrees will be available when classes at the University of Adelaide begin in 2026. The comprehensive offering will include undergraduate and graduate programmes in in-demand disciplines that meet Malaysia’s skills needs.

“The most popular courses for Malaysian students at the University of Adelaide’s constituent colleges are medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, computer science, information technology, engineering and business,” explains Prof Gallagher.

“We expect to see growth in enrolments in other areas where Malaysia has a skills shortage, including cybersecurity, data science, renewable energy and sustainability, and digital business.”

Australia and Malaysia have a long-standing bilateral relationship. In January 2021, the bilateral relationship became a comprehensive strategic partnership, with Australia and Malaysia committing to expand cooperation in education, the digital economy and emerging areas of science and innovation.

Australia is one of the top three most popular destinations for Malaysian students. The Australian education system enjoys a global reputation and ranks well above average in international education rankings.

Consistently ranked among the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide is Australia’s fastest-growing economy, big enough to have it all and intimate enough to be agile, support innovation and have close links to industry. Adelaide was ranked 28th in the world in the QS Best Student Cities 2025 rankings.

“Students come here from all over the world, attracted by our vibrant, cosmopolitan lifestyle, fantastic beaches, welcoming, multicultural community and proximity to regional attractions,” says Professor Gallagher.

Adelaide University will be one of the largest educators of Australian students when it opens in 2026, with international students from more than 100 countries. Its graduates will become part of an alumni community of more than 400,000 global citizens from 150 countries around the world.

About the University of Adelaide

Adelaide University is a university of the future, committed to consistently being in the top 1% of the world’s universities and having a transformative impact on the world. Built on the legacy of the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide, it combines the strengths of both founding institutions to create a brighter future for today’s learners and global citizens. Its research will be of scale and focus to address society’s greatest needs.

Adelaide University is Australia’s newest major university. It will offer a nationally leading curriculum and exceptional student experiences, pursuing educational equity and expanding research partnerships and outcomes in line with industry.

For more information: University of Adelaide website

This article was provided by the University of Adelaide.

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