Sunway rising

Issue 20 | Spring/Summer 2007

Report: Tim Mitchell
Photography: Jeffrey Ong.

Monash University has cemented its position as Australia's largest and most internationalised research intensive university.

In a gala ceremony in early September, the University's A$80/RM200 million Malaysia campus was officially opened confirming its commitment to a presence in South East Asia and marking a success story in international education.

It could have been a day like any other at the sparkling new campus of Monash University in Kuala Lumpur; student attention focused on books or computer screens in the learning commons, others strolling between lectures or catching up with friends in the cafeteria.

But as the day progressed it became clear Monday 3 September would be a special day for the University's third largest campus and the biggest outside Australia.

Malaysian flags adorned building columns as students in traditional dress greeted University dignitaries, Malaysian government officials (including four cabinet Ministers) and the region's business leaders amid a quiet hum of expectation.

With a stroke of a pen the Deputy Prime Minister officially opens the campus.

Auditorium Two was filled to capacity, the audience hearing from a succession of speakers before the official opening of the campus by the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.

It was a proud day, said Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins, a great occasion for the University and a chance to celebrate a real success in international education.

"The opening of this new campus is an important milestone and shows the strength of Monash University's commitment to Malaysia and the region," Professor Larkins said.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Merilyn Liddell told the audience many staff had worked long and hard over almost a decade to make the campus the success it was today.

"I would like to pay tribute to the staff of the campus, past and present, who have given so much to the development of the University. It has been a challenging endeavour and they do deserve acknowledgement for the enormity of the commitment that they have given and still give today," she said.

With an initial enrolment in 1998 of about 400, the campus has grown to this year to cater to more than 3,300 students, many from Malaysia. Twenty seven percent are international students from 50 countries.

Deputy Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak was the Minister for Education nine years ago when he invited Monash University to be the first foreign university to set up in Malaysia. It was fitting that he returned to officially open the campus, penning his signature on a digital pad which was instantly transferred to a plaque displayed on a giant screen.

"The resounding success of the campus is testament to the strong partnership between Monash University and the Sunway Group, the inspiring leadership of Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah and his colleagues, and the quality of Monash's academic leadership and administration," he said.

"I am very pleased to be here today to witness another milestone in the history of its presence in this country. I hope Monash will continue to contribute to Malaysia's education and research excellence."

A recurring theme was that a large part of the success of the campus had been a partnership between the University and the Sunway Group.

Chancellor Jerry Ellis said the persistence and passion of Sunway founder, Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah for the campus to have a world class medical teaching and research

The Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine was named in honour of the Malaysian businessman and philanthropist who was educated in Melbourne, Australia.

"The medical school that we have on this campus today could not have happened without the unflagging determination of Tan Sri Jeffrey," Mr Ellis said.

"His vision and belief that a medical school of Monash standing will be good for Malaysia's educational system and country in general kept him going. It has and continues to be a wonderful partnership between Monash and Sunway."

The ceremony over, life at the Sunway campus of Monash has now returned to normal, students gaining a truly international education from an Australian university with a proven commitment and capability to successfully operate on the world stage.

For further information, please visit the Monash Malaysia campus website.