The newly formed Tsukuba University campus in Malaysia will mark the first international Japanese public university to have set up its campus outside its country.

Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, the Higher Education Minister said the University of Tsukuba campus will be opening here next year, thereby creating a history between the two nations. The Malaysian government had proposed the establishment of the campus in 2018, however it has been finalized recently.

He added, “This setting up of a university campus outside Japan is historic for Japan. This is the very first time that a Japanese university has ventured out to open a campus in another country.” He expressed that it is also a great recognition to the Higher Education Ministry as well as an opportunity for both governments to increase closer bilateral relations between Japan and Malaysia.

The bilateral association between the two nations has been initiated over four decades ago as their ‘Look East Policy.’

The Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) was signed between the Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry, Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology and the Malaysian government. Mr. Khalid stated that the Malaysian Government has established investment and business relations over several decades and hoped the collaboration will continue strengthening their ties in the coming future. The ceremony was attended by Takahashi Katsuhiko, Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia and Datuk Muhammad Yusof Apdal, the Higher Education deputy minister, Malaysia.

Established way back in 1872, the University of Tsukuba is one of the oldest, counted among the 86 public-listed universities in the top ten Japanese universities.

The MoC will be their initial agreement and sign of commitment between Japan and Malaysia, as the other aspects related to the campus location, finances, structure, planning, etc will be eventually finalized.