New school for Iskandar

07 December 2009 , By The Star

MALAYSIA is well on its way to becoming a world-class education hub with an agreement between Education@Iskandar Sdn Bhd and Marlborough College. The agreement, which was signed recently between Education Iskandar Sdn Bhd (EISB), Marlborough Overseas Ltd (MOL) and M East Sdn Bhd (MESB), will develop Marlborough College Malaysia in Iskandar.

Marlborough College Malaysia, scheduled to open in September 2012, is the first international venture for the British co-educational boarding school, which was established in 1843.

The college will cater to local and international students aged between five and 18.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin witnessed the signing ceremony.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said: “The agreement is testament that we are moving in the right direction (for Malaysia) to become a global education hub in Asia.”

He added that there were currently around 16,000 international students studying in Malaysian private and international schools.

“This project will bring benefits for the entire community – from creating job and business opportunities to providing an international educational experience,” said Arlida Ariff, president and chief executive officer of Iskandar Investment.

“The demand for international education in Malaysia is poised for growth and Malaysia is now a preferred study destination amongst international students,” said chairman of the college’s council Sir Hayden Phillips GCB.

“Marlborough College is proud to be at the forefront of the current demand for international education as Malaysia continues to stand out on the global stage,” he added.

The 90-acre campus will welcome its first intake of 350 students in June 2012, with enrolment projected to increase gradually to up to 1300 students in 2020.

The college hopes to work closely with local schools in the region to facilitate knowledge exchange through joint sporting and cultural initiatives.

Also present at the event were the Tunku Besar Seri Menanti, Tunku Ali Redhauddin Tuanku Mukhriz, who is the director of MESB, its chairman John Manser, British High Commissioner Boyd McCleary, and Iskandar Investment chairman Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar.