Limkokwing University United Kingdom was officially opened in Piccadilly London by the Malaysian Prime Minister today, a milestone event for both Malaysia and the UK, being the first Malaysian, Asian and Commonwealth country to set up a university and deliver its degrees in the country.

“The Limkokwing University has been a trailblazer for Malaysian education. From a small beginning, it has grown from strength to strength to become what it is today: a truly internationally recognised Malaysian brand name that has educated students from 100 countries,” said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in an official message to the university.

He said it was not surprising that Limkokwing University will become the first Malaysian institution of higher learning to open a branch campus in London. Not only is it a coup for the university, but a sign of the confidence that the world has in Malaysia education.

“I am excited at the merging of the best and brightest from the East and West. It is my hope that such an exchange will produce a burst of creativity and innovation that will illuminate our future. I also hope that this cross-pollination will give rise to greater understanding and empathy between cultures and civilisations – qualities that are sorely needed in today’s world,” said the Prime Minister.

Worldwide expansion plan

The opening of the Limkokwing campus in London is an essential part of the university’s worldwide expansion plan.

In addition to the main campus in Kuala Lumpur and the one in London, the university has campuses spread out in three continents. The campuses are located in Beijing, Jakarta and Gaborone in Botswana. Another campus is due to open in Phnom Penh and over the next 12 months there are plans to double the number of campuses to 12.

Student population at Limkokwing worldwide today stands at 16,000 from 130 countries.

Founder-president Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Limkokwing, in his opening address at the event, said:

“The establishment of Limkokwing in London marks a pioneering endeavour to integrate Asian, African and Western values, traditions, creativity and technology in education. Now we are Asian, African and European all at once in the way we think, in the way we see and do things.”

He said the establishment of the London campus was important to the university’s philosophy of merging the best of East and West.

Great learning cities

“Bridging the two sides of the coin is a major reason for Limkokwing University to be in London. If you know only one side of the world but not the other, you will spend your lives knowing only half the story, seeing only half the picture, and missing out on half the opportunities,” said Tan Sri Lim.

He added that London, being one of the great learning cities in the world, well-known for its creative vibrancy, will help to reinforce the international education which Limkokwing students from around the world will need.

“By reaching out to the world from London, we will help develop human capital crucial to the transformation of communities and industries in developing countries,” he said.

The London campus also see several initiatives set in motion. These include the Centre for Malay Studies that aims to promote the study and research of Malay culture, arts, customs, heritage and language.

The centre will provide information on Malay culture and civilisation and will house sources of reference such as books, publications and microfiche that will prove useful to researchers.

Another initiative is the establishment of the new Think Malaysia contact centre on campus that will provide information on anything Malaysian that ranges from business and investment opportunities to tourism and education.

In Malaysia,  Limkokwing is respected for its innovative approach to education. Since it began in 1992, the university has changed the face of private education through its creative approach that fuses industry experience with academic learning