In a significant geopolitical move, Malaysia has confirmed its application to join the BRICS+ alliance, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announcing the decision on July 27. This strategic alignment, alongside Thailand’s pending application, is poised to reshape the economic and geopolitical landscape of Southeast Asia. BRICS, originally comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded this year to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates, now representing over 4 billion people and covering 30% of the world's landmass. The alliance's growing influence extends beyond economics into education, fostering collaboration through initiatives like the BRICS+ Universities Association (BUA), which includes over 148 members from 35 countries.
Malaysia's universities stand to benefit significantly from this development. The BRICS+ alliance’s focus on knowledge-sharing and collaborative research could provide Malaysian institutions with enhanced opportunities for student exchange and joint research projects. The 3rd BRICS TVET Institution Presidents Forum, held in May 2024, underscored the importance of vocational training cooperation to build a robust scientific and technological workforce among member states. Analysts suggest that Malaysia could leverage its expertise in Islamic finance, sustainable agriculture, and tropical medicine to complement the strengths of other BRICS+ nations, potentially leading to groundbreaking joint research initiatives.
A key factor in this equation is China's dominant role in global research, particularly in cutting-edge fields like Artificial Intelligence (AI). A recent study by Web of Science highlights China’s significant contribution to global AI research, accounting for 40% of all published papers, far surpassing the United States and the European Union. With China's substantial research and development expenditure, which reached approximately USD 458.5 billion in 2023, there is potential for increased collaboration within the BRICS+ framework. This shift could redirect research partnerships to Malaysia, offering new funding and collaboration opportunities.
The evolving global education landscape also presents new prospects for student mobility. Traditional study destinations like the US, UK, and Australia are witnessing a decline in popularity among students from BRICS+ nations, including India and China. Countries like Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia are emerging as attractive alternatives due to their affordable education options and cultural proximity. In 2023, Japan surpassed Canada as the top destination for Chinese students, while Malaysia saw a 20% increase in Chinese applications. This trend reflects a growing diversification in student mobility, with Malaysia well-positioned to attract students from BRICS+ countries.
Malaysia’s integration into BRICS+ also raises questions about its impact on ASEAN educational cooperation. As Malaysia prepares to chair ASEAN next year, it faces the challenge of balancing its commitments to both BRICS and ASEAN. While BRICS focuses on research excellence and producing top-tier scientists and engineers, ASEAN emphasizes regional integration and developing a workforce with strong soft skills. The differing priorities of these groups are evident in their funding structures and collaborative platforms. BRICS relies heavily on government funding and a centralized body, the BRICS University Alliance (BUA), while ASEAN adopts a broader approach involving various stakeholders and a government-led structure.
There are concerns that Malaysia’s increasing ties with BRICS+ could dilute ASEAN's influence and undermine longstanding programs like the ASEAN Work Plan on Education and the ASEAN University Network. However, the potential for synergy between the two groups is significant. BRICS+ research capabilities could bolster ASEAN’s research agenda, and technological advancements could bridge the gap between their priorities. Both blocs are recognizing the importance of soft skills, and collaboration could lead to mutually beneficial outcomes.
As Malaysia navigates its role within BRICS+ and ASEAN, it must address challenges such as standardizing education systems and developing infrastructure to fully capitalize on the opportunities presented by this new alignment. Balancing these commitments will be crucial for Malaysia to maximize the benefits of its BRICS+ membership while continuing to contribute to regional cooperation through ASEAN.
