ISTANBUL, TURKIYE, 13 April 2025 – The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) offshore centre in Istanbul Gelisim University recently received a visit from the Honourable Minister of Higher Education Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir.

Other officials who accompanied Zambry on his first visit there were the Consul-General of Malaysia in Istanbul, Ahmad Amiri Abu Bakar; Deputy Secretary General (Policy), Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, Dato' Dr. Haji Megat Sany Megat Ahmad Supian; Director-General, Polytechnic Education & Community College, Dato' Dr. Haji Mohd Zahari Ismail; Division Secretary, Datin Noorazah Omar; and representatives from the International Relation Division, Head of Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS); Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA); Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT); and Universities represented by UTM, UniMAS and UUM.

USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed was there to receive the delegation together with the USM Director for Academic and International Division, Professor Dr. Lee Keat Teong.

USM corresponding partners from Turkiye were in attendance as well, namely the President of European Global School University (EGS) Turkey, Dr. Nour El Hoda Awada; Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Istanbul Gelisim University, Mr. Abdülkadir Gayretli; and Rector, Istanbul Gelisim University, Professor Dr. Bahri Şahin.

This is the second international offshore centre to be established by USM, following the first in India, which has been offering the ‘USM-KLE International Medical Programme' since 2010.

USM also launched two new offshore programmes with Al-Mustaqbal University, Iraq last year and with plans to expand to China and Uzbekistan soon.

Offshore programmes allow universities to expand their reach beyond campus limitations, offering degrees to a wider student population.

As an international offshore centre, USM can now attract more global students. Those enrolled in offshore programmes would receive the same quality education and credentials as on-campus students.

Istanbul Gelisim University serves as an excellent location for USM to run its offshore programme as Gelisim University is the higher education institution in Turkiye with the highest number of internationally accredited programmes, ensuring that all students under the USM-EGS Offshore programme would have access to state-of-the-art learning and research facilities and infrastructure.

Currently, the USM-EGS Offshore programme offers over 30 disciplines, including Engineering, Dental Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Business, Social Sciences, Islamic Studies, Languages, and Educational Technology.

Currently, 115 students are enrolled, with 85 pursuing PhDs and 30 working towards their MSc degrees.

During the visit, Zambry suggested that Istanbul Gelisim University should expand its collaboration with USM and also other universities in Malaysia.

Some areas of potential collaboration include semiconductor and drone technology.

Additionally, Zambry has also suggested for Gelisim University to be included in the Malaysia-Republic of Türkiye Joint Committee on Higher Education.

Text: Professor Dr. Lee Keat Teong/Editing: Media & Public Relations Centre, USM