Sunway’s breakthrough partnership brings the US’ most innovative education to Malaysia

Sunway’s breakthrough partnership brings the US’ most innovative education to Malaysia

In collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU), Sunway University’s School of American Education provides Malaysian students affordable access to top-notch U.S. degree programs in highly employable fields and the ASU experience in Malaysia

Building on its near 20-year partnership with Lancaster University and in support of its esteemed collaborations with Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge and MIT, Sunway University is now proud to announce its newest partnership with Arizona State University (ASU). This illustrious portfolio of partnerships continues to highlight Sunway’s ongoing commitment to providing students with exceptional educational opportunities.

Joining hands with ASU, the most innovative university in the US ranked by US News and World Report, Sunway University School of American Education (SAE) has formed an exciting landmark collaboration in providing existing as well as prospective students with an enhanced American education experience and world-class full degree programmes under the American curriculum.

With the partnership, Sunway University looks to establish full American degree programmes with ASU as well as incorporate ASU curriculum and experience in its well-established American Degree Transfer Program (ADTP). Sunway students will also now be able to maximise its credit transfer to ASU, as well as reinforce both programmes with the leading American university’s resources.

“This partnership emphasises an innovation-driven learning experience that equips students with the necessary knowledge, skills, values and mindset for successful global careers,” Sunway University said.

Venturing beyond borders, these students undergo a transformative journey, emerging as global citizens of remarkable independence and accomplishment. Among my students, I witness a legion of go-getters, relentlessly pursuing opportunities on the international stage, seizing every opportunity to propel their careers forward with determination.”

— Dr Sim Tze Ying, Sunway University dean of the School of American Education

Under the full American degree programmes, students will have the choice to complete their four-year studies entirely in Malaysia at Sunway University’s state-of-the-art campus or physically transfer to ASU’s innovative campus in the US for their final year.

The majors planned under the full American degree programmes include Computer Science, Digital Communication, Advertising, Global Management, New Media Studies and Psychology, with further planned additions being Digital Media Design and Business Technology.

“As these will be offered locally, we considered both local and US demand. Graduates of these programmes are in demand not only locally but also in the US,” says associate professor Dr Sim Tze Ying, Sunway University dean of the School of American Education.

Tapping this demand, under the Optional Practical Training enabled by the US government, students who opt to spend their final year in ASU will be entitled to gain working experience in the US of up to three years for STEM subjects, and one year for non-STEM subjects.

This opportunity to build a career foothold right out of university is part of the student visa. It allows students to seamlessly enter their interested field and start building their envisioned careers from the outset.

By taking this route, students will be well equipped to build their career path, thanks to ASU’s suite of world-class content and curriculum, which enabled the university to remain at the forefront of innovation among US universities for nine years in a row, according to US News and World Report 2024, ahead of the world-renowned Stanford University.

This is exemplified by ASU’s collection of Nobel laureates and notable alumni, which it achieved with its charter of being a university “measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed”.

“ASU’s commitment to inclusiveness and sustainability perfectly aligns with Sunway’s core values of humility, integrity and excellence. These innovative programmes with ASU will ensure that our graduates continue to be future-ready by being highly employable, entrepreneurial and sustainability conscious,” said Professor Sibrandes Poppema, president of Sunway University.

ASU is also ranked among the top 1% of universities worldwide by the Centre for World University Ranking 2023-2024 and among the top 150 universities worldwide ranked by Shanghai Ranking, 2023.

Sunway University’s dynamic and flexible pathway to the US

The full American degree programme that SAE will provide is on top of its existing ADTP, which allows students to study one or two years in Malaysia and complete the remaining three or two years in their US university of choice via the flexible credit transfer system, allowing students to customise their education pathway.

Further, with its partnership with ASU, Sunway joins the ASU Cintana Alliance network, a curated global network of exemplary and ambitious universities working together to develop high-quality and innovative academic programmes.

Sunway University, with its more than three decades’ experience in running the ADTP, is reinforcing the programme’s benefits to students through its partnership with ASU. Besides being a preferred transfer destination for students, Sunway University’s ADTP students will be able to enjoy the privilege of SAE’s entry into the Cintana Alliance.

In addition to ADTP students having access to ASU innovative courses, students will now also have the opportunity to learn from visiting professors from Cintana Alliance member universities who deliver lectures at the Sunway University campus.

“Our ADTP students are getting a lot of exposure not only from our dedicated Sunway University faculty members, but they also have access to ASU professors as well as professors in this network,” Sim says.

In the background, but crucial nonetheless, are Sunway University’s experienced and well-developed support structures, comprising academic advising, counselling and mental health services, which help guide students in their next steps in life.

Beyond formal education and hand-in-hand support throughout a student’s journey, Sim says, the American degree’s flexibility allows students to cultivate their own education path in tandem with the opportunity to build their character and expand their world view in the US to sow the seeds for future career success.

“When these students go abroad, they really grow to be independent and attain a sense of achievement. I see go-getters in many of my students; they do their best to secure their respective jobs for their career progression,” Sim says.

“Stepping out of your comfort zone is very important and is another strength of the American degree programme.”

Sunway Education Group CEO Professor Datuk Elizabeth Lee says Sunway University, with its three decades of experience in running the ADTP, reinforces its dedication to delivering the finest American education in Malaysia through this collaboration with ASU.

“We believe this innovative partnership will further enhance the transnational educational landscape in Malaysia and empower students to thrive in a globally competitive world,” Lee says.

“We warmly invite students who have recently completed their SPM/IGCSE examinations to join us on this extraordinary academic journey.”

Interested students can enquire about the programme during the upcoming open day on June 8 and 9. The ADTP intakes for this year are in June and September. For more information, please contact Ms Wai Yee ([019] 664 7232) or [email protected].