MALAYSIA: Economic crisis dashes study abroad dreams

Meg Tan, who has always dreamed of studying overseas, has had her hopes dashed by the current economic downturn, writes Elaine Ang in The Star. After completing her Cambridge A-levels at a private university college, she was looking forward to pursuing an accounting and finance degree in Britain. Her parents, however, have decided she must continue her studies locally instead - via a twinning or an external degree programme - to save costs.


"It is the prudent thing to do. We do not know how long the economic downturn will last and whether our jobs will be affected. We can always send her overseas for her last year if finances permit," said Meg's father Paul Tan.

With more families tightening their purse strings and letting their children study locally rather than abroad to save costs, the outlook for the private higher education industry is expected to remain positive this year, say industry players. Malaysian Association of Private Colleges and Universities executive secretary Ko Kim Hooi said the current economic downturn could be an incentive for students to look at twinning and external programmes as cheaper alternatives.
Full report on The Star site