QI Group was the Strategic Partner at the one-day Malaysian Education and Learning Summit 2021 held in Kuala Lumpur on 23rd March to discuss ways forward for education in a COVID-19 wrecked global environment. The Summit, themed “A Future Ready, Pandemic-Proof Education”, was very timely as the higher education sector was among those greatly affected by the pandemic. A total of 1.2 million students in Malaysia, including 130,000 international students were affected when teaching and learning activities could not be carried out as usual since March 2020.

Organized by Kingsley Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific (KSI), the Summit was attended by 150 participants at the venue and it was also accessible online to participants nationwide. Overall, it brought together about 300 educationalists, policymakers, leaders of industry and experts in the area of education, including from QI Group’s Quest International University (QIU) to discuss strategies in transforming Malaysian education to one of world-class quality. Experts also deliberated the challenges faced and opportunities ahead in preparing the youth to meet the demands of a post-COVID-19 job market.

QIU’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Zita Mohd Fahmi, who was one of the panellists on the topic of University of the Future, said QIU is ready to become diversified and agile in meeting the needs of the education industry. “Our new campus is aimed to become a whole learning eco-system. We want to enhance students’ skills and employability, especially in meeting industry demands. Moving forward, it is very important for all universities to adapt to digital transformation quickly,” she noted.

Malaysian Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad gave the opening keynote address, stressing that her Ministry is constantly looking for ways to put local graduates ahead of other job seekers. Earlier, KSI president Tan Sri Dr Michael Yeoh said there is a need to ensure universities produce future-ready graduates. He identified three important issues that need to be addressed in the education sector — digitalisation, diversity and distinctioning. He also added that there should be a closer university and industry collaboration in making sure students get the right skills and training.

Also present at the Summit were Mr Kuna Senathirajah, Group Managing Director of QI Group and Mr Nicholas Goh, Chief Operating Officer of QIU.

The 2021 Malaysian Education and Learning Summit is an annual event by KSI and this year it was held in collaboration with the Malaysian Association of Private Colleges and Universities (MAPCU) and National Association of Private Education Institutions (NAPEI).