PEARSON AND UNIVERSITI MALAYA FORGE STRATEGIC COLLABORATION TO ENHANCE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Pearson and Universiti Malaya Sign Landmark MoU to Advance Internationalisation Goals
Pearson has signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Universiti Malaya (UM), aimed at helping UM achieve its internationalisation objectives through a robust partnership. This collaboration will open doors to various initiatives, including student and academic staff exchanges, joint research projects, and sharing publications, reports, and other academic materials.
This strategic alliance highlights Pearson’s commitment to supporting Malaysian universities and the Malaysian Government in attracting a diverse pool of international students. Pearson, through its high-stakes English language proficiency test, the Pearson Test of English (PTE), has provided testing for thousands of students from over 40 nationalities across 47 countries and territories, all eager to pursue their education in Malaysia.
Matthew Lampkin, Director of PTE Asia at Pearson, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are delighted to partner with Malaysia’s top university, ranked 60th in the world, to support their international education goals, while also contributing to Malaysia’s ambition to become a global education hub with a target to attract 250,000 international students by 2025.”
He also shared his excitement about the MoU’s scholarship initiative with UM, covering GBP 3,000, and emphasized the joint research efforts to support UM academics and students alike.
Professor Dr. Yatimah Alias, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International) at Universiti Malaya, remarked, “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, along with the Pearson Test of English and Universiti Malaya Scholarship Campaign, underscores 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.”
This MoU extends Pearson’s already deep-rooted ties with Malaysia, supporting thousands of aspiring students coming to the country by offering the Pearson Test of English across more than 450 test centres in 115 countries globally, including six in Malaysia.
New data released by Pearson today shows that among those test takers:
-64.9% are interested in postgraduate courses,
-20.5% are keen on undergraduate courses, and
14.6% are pursuing other courses.
Mr Lampkin further highlighted the positive impact on the local economy when international students choose Malaysia as their preferred study destination. In Malaysia, PTE Academic is recognized by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) for international student admissions into all public and private universities and colleges.
He added, “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.”
A ceremonial gift exchange occurred between Mr. Matthew Lampkin, Director of PTE Asia at Pearson, and Professor Dr. Yatimah Alias, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International) at Universiti Malaya, symbolizing the collaboration.
About Pearson
At Pearson, our purpose is to add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. Our 20,000 employees are dedicated to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed to have a real-life impact. As the world’s leading learning company, we serve 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 abroad. Operating in a market valued at over £900m, PTE has established itself as a top three player globally.
Recognized 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 prove their English proficiency accurately and secure higher education or employment abroad.
The test is available at over 475 secure VUE centres globally and typically delivers results within 48 hours. PTE is also recognized by leading professional bodies in industries such as nursing and engineering, helping to fill critical skills gaps in sectors like health, engineering, and information technology.
PTE employs a unique combination of AI scoring and human expertise, blending machine learning’s precision with human examiners’ judgment to ensure fair and accurate results.
About Universiti Malaya
Universiti Malaya (UM) is Malaysia’s first university. Following the University of Malaya Act in 1961, UM was recognized as a public university. Officially established on January 1, 1962, UM has since grown to include two academies, fourteen faculties, two institutes, and one academic centre, covering disciplines ranging from medicine and science to social sciences and humanities.
UM also houses Malaysia’s first and largest teaching hospital, UMMC. The university’s research efforts are driven by its Research Cluster, further strengthened by centres of excellence across various learning centres.
Universiti Malaya (UM) has recently achieved a significant milestone by securing a position among the top 60 universities globally in the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (QS-WUR) for 2025. This marks a 5-place improvement from the previous year and a notable 10-place climb since the 2023 rankings, positioning UM in the top 4% of the 1,503 institutions evaluated globally by QS.
Register for your exam through MasterPTE and get up to 10% off, plus a free class worth RM249.
https://masterpte.com/exam-discount/
