Malaysian roadshow highlights universities and pathways in New Zealand

The week-long programme showcased New Zealand’s diverse education offerings while enabling meaningful connections between institutions, prospective students, school counsellors, and key government stakeholders. 

Spanning three key Malaysian cities – Johor Bahru, Penang and Kuala Lumpur – the roadshow featured a range of targeted activities, from school visits and counsellor networking to an education expo and student-facing events. These activities highlighted New Zealand’s commitment to building long-term education partnerships in Malaysia, supporting student recruitment, and raising awareness of New Zealand as a high-quality and welcoming study destination. 

Delivered in partnership with leading agents IDP Malaysia and SUN Education Malaysia, the roadshow brought together eight New Zealand universities and four pathway providers. 

A strong focus was placed on school engagement and outreach. Across Johor Bahru and Penang, New Zealand institutions participated in a series of mini school fairs at leading international schools, giving students direct access to information on study options and pathways. 

Alongside this, engagement with school counsellors helped strengthen relationships and expand awareness among key influencers. Sessions in Penang and Kuala Lumpur brought together counsellors from international and Chinese Independent Schools for presentations, informal Q&A discussions, and a networking brunch attended by partners such as Pearson and Cambridge. New Zealand High Commissioner His Excellency Mike Walsh joined the brunch, emphasising strong government support for education connections. 

In Kuala Lumpur, student recruitment activity culminated in the Study with New Zealand Expo, which attracted around 163 students and parents. The event featured presentations from New Zealand education providers, one-on-one consultations, an academic masterclass from the University of Otago, and alumni sharing sessions – offering students a comprehensive view of studying in New Zealand. 

The programme also included participation in the ANZAC Day Dawn Service, which was an opportunity for New Zealand providers to connect around shared values and strengthen community ties. 

In Kuala Lumpur, a working meeting was held with MARA (Malaysia’s government scholarship body) to talk about support for MARA-sponsored students. New Zealand institutions shared examples of academic and pastoral care. The meeting was followed by a call to the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, meeting with Prof Dr Zainal Amin Ayub (Deputy Director General of Higher Education Academic & Research), focused on strengthening academic collaboration, expanding research opportunities and exploring potential scholarship opportunities for Malaysian academics and staff.  

Ben Burrowes, ENZ Regional Director Asia (excluding China), said the roadshow reinforced the value of in-market engagement.  

“Connecting directly with students, counsellors and government partners in Malaysia allows us to showcase the breadth of New Zealand’s education offering while strengthening the relationships that support long-term student pathways.” 

Overall, the roadshow demonstrated the strong and growing interest in New Zealand education across the region. By bringing institutions directly to students and stakeholders, it reinforced New Zealand’s reputation for quality education, supportive learning environments, and global opportunities. 

Through continued collaboration with partners in Malaysia, ENZ remains committed to strengthening education ties and supporting future student pathways to New Zealand.