The University of Tsukuba is preparing to inaugurate a branch campus in Kuala Lumpur, marking the first venture of its kind for a Japanese university. Scheduled to commence operations in September, this campus will introduce an innovative "School of Transdisciplinary Science and Design" aimed at Malaysian and neighbouring students.
Its primary objective is to furnish them with the necessary expertise to address pressing global challenges encountered by Southeast Asian nations. Limited to an initial enrollment of 40 students, the department will be supported by approximately 40 faculty members from Tsukuba, offering courses in both English and Japanese.
The curriculum of this pioneering department will encompass an array of subjects spanning statistics, environmental studies, humanities, and social sciences. Additionally, Japanese language instruction will be obligatory, reflecting the university's commitment to fostering linguistic proficiency alongside interdisciplinary knowledge. Upon completing the four-year program, graduates will be conferred a Bachelor of Arts and Science degree.
The genesis of this initiative stems from a request by the Malaysian government to its Japanese counterpart for assistance in establishing an educational institution geared towards cultivating human resources capable of addressing global issues, particularly those pertaining to the environment, health, and welfare.
Maki Tsujimura, leading the university's preparatory efforts for the campus launch, expressed aspirations to spearhead the expansion of Japanese educational principles abroad. This endeavour underscores the University of Tsukuba's dedication to internationalizing its educational footprint and contributing to the global community's capacity to tackle multifaceted challenges.
