Chinese overseas students (from left) Li Hehe, Pei Qi and Lou Xiaoxiao at Universiti Sains Malaysia’s campus in Penang.PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
GEORGE TOWN, Penang – President Donald Trump’s order to tighten visa rules in the United States for students from China may benefit universities in Malaysia.
Mr Pei Qi, a 42-year-old English teacher from China who is pursuing a postgraduate degree at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), which is in Penang, said he has noticed more of his students in China considering Malaysia over the US.
“Many of my students who initially planned to go to the US are now considering Malaysia for further studies. One of them gave up on her US application because of visa delays and uncertainty, and then applied to Monash University Malaysia and USM,” he said.
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Mr Pei said that the student and her mother visited Penang and were drawn to the island’s safety, lifestyle and international feel.
“They were worried about whether they could get into a public university here, but the affordability and global rankings of Malaysian institutions have prompted them to apply,” he said, adding that Malaysia’s strong ties with China is an important factor.
“Malaysia takes education seriously. I see effort going into improving curriculum, research and global rankings,” Mr Pei said.
He recalled seeing China’s content creators on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, mentioning that Malaysia has become the seventh most popular study destination abroad for students from China.
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Mr Pei said the US’ new policy against students from China has affected the global standing of America. “I see real, long-term damage to America’s reputation as the world’s leader,” he said.
“The global landscape has changed. The US is no longer the only option for high-quality, English-medium education.
“It is sad to lose access to the US, but it is not the end of the road.”
First-year Bachelor of Arts in English student Lou Xiaoxiao, 20, said studying in the US is still a dream for many from her homeland.
“It is still the top choice for a lot of us because of its academic resources and reputation. At the moment, I can say Malaysia is more of an option,” she said.
Ms Lou added that visa issues and parents’ concerns about global tensions do play a role, and more families are looking at safety and cost when making decisions.
She feels that China’s families are prioritising cost-effectiveness and a sense of security in their decision-making regarding their children’s studies overseas.
Another student, Mr Li Hehe, 25, said that despite the visa crackdown, he feels most Chinese families still hope to send their children to the US, believing strongly in the value of an American education.
“I have worked in the study-abroad consultancy field. Students and parents who choose the US believe in it deeply. Even though the US might be the most expensive option, the choice of the US often reflects a serious commitment,” said Mr Li, who is in his final year of a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning at USM.
On May 28, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that some Chinese students will have their visas revoked, especially those studying in sensitive fields or linked to the Communist Party of China.
China is the second-largest source of international students in the US, after India.
More than 270,000 students from China enrolled in American institutions in the 2023–2024 academic year, about a quarter of all international students there.
Lecturer Kamaruzzaman Abdul Manan from USM’s School of Communication said Malaysian universities should seize the opportunity.
“China sends more students abroad than any other country. Even a 10 per cent to 15 per cent drop in those heading to the US means thousands will look for other destinations,” he said.
He added that Malaysia’s strong education system and position in Asean make it an ideal choice for students from China.
“Having more students from China can raise a university’s profile, attract funding and increase global partnerships,” he said.