Malaysia is currently the world's 11th most preferred study destination. According to UNESCO, Malaysia has captured a 2% market share of international students in the fast growing private education sector. With a population of 27.9 million in 2009 and more than a million Malaysian students in tertiary education, Malaysia also accommodates more than 80,000 international students in the beginning of 2010.

Higher education opportunities are abundant for international students at an affordable cost. All students are welcome to come learn in a country of great diversity, rapid economic development and people living in peace and harmony!

Malaysia is the world's 11th most preferred study destination.

Recognising the potential of the country to become an education hub, various measures have been taken to promote Malaysia as a centre of excellence for education. These include establishing Malaysia as a higher education mobility hub for international students, deploying effective marketing strategies, and setting up Malaysian Higher Education Centres in selected cities worldwide.

In addition, high impact projects have been developed to cater specifically for education, for example, Kuala Lumpur Education City (KLEC) and Iskandar Malaysia's EduCity in Nusajaya (Johor) that offers tailored-made programmes for international students.

The Economy of Malaysia Transformation

When the nation first gained independence in 1957, the economy was completely dependent on rubber and tin. However, our ability to transform the economy since the 1970s has turned it into one where the industrial and services sectors contribute almost 90% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The per capital GNP for 2009 is RM23,115 (USD6,600) and the unemployment rate was estimated 3.7 in the month of June 2010.

Over the years, Malaysia has also become more efficient and competitive globally. Malaysia is ranked the 24th most competitive economy in the world out of 133 economies / countries surveyed, according to the Genevabased 'World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Index 2009-2010'. This index is based on 12 pillars of competitiveness and productivity, i.e. institutions, infrastructure, macroeconomic stability, health and primary education, higher education and training, goods market efficiency, labour market efficiency, financial market sophistication, technological readiness, market size, business sophistication, and innovation.

In the World Bank report titled 'Doing Business 2010' with the objective of ranking economies on their 'ease of doing business', Malaysia emerged as the 24th most business-friendly nation in the world out of the 181 economies/ countries surveyed during the period from June 2008 to May 2009. .

Malaysia is the 35th most globalised country in the world, according to the KOF Index of Globalisation 2010. This Index measures the country's economic, social and political dimensions of globalisation. Globalisation is a reflection of what extent a country's economy, society and cultures have become integrated, connected and interdependent through a global network of communication, transportation, and trade.

Kuala Lumpur is still among the least expensive cities in terms of cost of living when compared with other major Asian cities, according to the Cost of Living Survey by ECA International for 2010.

KL is the 31st most expension location within Asia, out of the 50 Cities Surveyed.

Malaysia was ranked 37th in the 'Best Countries in the World' survey by the US international magazine, Newsweek. Five criteria were used to rank the country i.e. health, economic dynamism (the openness of a country's economy and the breadth of its corporate sector), education, political environment, and quality of life.

Malaysia is the world's 10th most-competitive trading nation exporting its products and services to countries all over the world. It trades with over 200 economies across the globe and the country's total trade is expected to exceed the RM1 trillion mark in 2010.

Malaysia is the world's 10th most-competitive trading nation exporting its products and services to countries all over the world.

Malaysia produces and exports natural and manufactured products such as :

•    Electrical and electronic products
•    Natural Rubber
•    Palm oil and palm oil-based products
•    Liquefied natural gas (LNG)
•    Crude petroleum
•    Petroleum Products
•    Timber and Timber-based products
•    Articles of Apparel & Clothing Accessorie

It also stands out as one of the world's largest producers of palm oil, natural rubber, tin, timber, cocoa beans, pepper and liquefied natural gas. As such, Malaysia truly lives up to the status of one of the most developed nations in the southeast Asian region.

Fast Economic Recovery

As an indicator of a strong economy, Malaysia's international reserves was RM310.6 billion (US$95 billion) as at 30 July 2010 - sufficient to finance 7.9 months of retained imports and is 4.4 times the short-term external debts.
Malaysia achieved a GDP growth rate of -1.7% in 2009 but bounce back to 10.1% and 8.9% in first and second quarter of 2010 respectively. The per capita income of Malaysians has increased significantly, from a mere RM1,132 33 years ago in 1970 to RM23,567 in 2009 and is now ranked among the highest in this region. In 2009, the trade surplus showed a record of RM118,355 million. This is the eleventh year of consecutive trade surplus since 1997. The trade surplus continues into 2010. As of June 2010, the trade surplus was RM62,356 million. The growth rate for 2010 is expected to expand at 6.8%.

Doing Business in Malaysia

The private sector in Malaysia has become partners with the public sector in achieving the nation's development objectives. The Malaysian government maintains a friendly business environment with opportunities for growth andprofits for business investors. These have made Malaysia an attractive and stable investment base in the region.

Malaysia is the 24th most business-friendly nation in the world.

Foreign Investment in Malaysia Education

Increasingly, Malaysia is becoming a preferred country for foreign investment in the higher education sector. There are six (five) foreign university branch campuses in Malaysia at present and more are expected to be established in the near future. The government welcomes foreign universities to establish branch campuses in Malaysia, particularly in Iskandar Malaysia and KLEC. Investors will be offered incentives including tax exemptions when setting up their branch campuses here. Malaysia believes that partnerships with foreign universities yield a winwin outcome for both parties.

Sources: http://www.studymalaysia.com/education/art_msia.php?id=betterchoice

For the quality of its system of higher education

France's higher education system is not only one of the best in the world—it's also open to all!

The quality of French higher education is widely recognized throughout the world. French institutions figure prominently in the Shanghai Classification of Universities, in the rankings of the Financial Times and Times Higher, and in the European Report on Science and Technologies published by the European Commission.

Each year, France makes massive investments in education and research. In fact, education is the largest category of government spending, accounting for more than 20% of the budget.

"French successes in manufacturing, technology, and science (space, transportation, medicine, mathematics), and the number of Nobel prizes and Field medals that French citizens bring home, demonstrate that France is one of the world's most dynamic centers of innovation and research.

In France, higher education programs are grounded in accredited research laboratories or the knowledge of seasoned professionals: whatever your field of study, you will always be in contact with renowned experts.

For the international flavor of the country's higher education system

Each year more than 278,000 international students choose France for their higher education.

The world's fifth-largest economy, France is also the fourth most popular destination for international students. The country remains committed to its long-standing policy of equal treatment for domestic and international students. Some examples of that policy: Tuition rates at French institutions are identical for all students. For programs leading to national diplomas, tuition rates are set by law. All students, regardless of origin, enjoy the same benefits (health coverage, housing assistance).

France spends about 1.2% of its gross domestic product on higher education—about €20 billion annually. Financing for higher education is predominantly public (87%). France's spending for higher education represents an investment of about €10,800 per student, including international students.

With  278,000 international students  (12% of the country's total postsecondary enrollment), including 25,000 doctoral candidates, France is the world's fourth-largest host country after the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

France's institutions award degrees that adhere to the common European architecture known as LMD (for Licence, Master, abd Doctorate). French diplomas are therefore recognized and accepted throughout the world.

For many students, studying in France means an opportunity to learn French or to extend one's command of the language. Doing so allows them to join a global community of 250 million speakers of language of Voltaire, Hugo, and Camus, an official language of the Olympics, the United Nations, and the European Union.

"In France, international students of all nationalities enjoy the same rights and advantages as French students. In the last 10 years  the number of international students in France has grown by 75%!

To experience the unique French "art of living"

Studying in France also means joining a society rightly renowned for its practice of the "art of living." Did you know that France is the leading tourist destination in the entire world?

France is a relatively large country of immense geographic variety. Its health-care and transportation systems are second to none. France is also a safe and tolerant country.

"In France, you'll have access to a vast array of athletic, touristic, and cultural opportunities that your student discount makes very affordable.

"Many of France's institutions of higher education are found in city centers in immediate proximity to the vibrant social and cultural life of French cities. Museums, bookstores, cinemas, theaters, and cafes are always within easy reach.

For the power of French know-how

The high art of French craftsmanship

920,000 French businesses employing 10% of all French workeres produce the high-quality artisanal goods for which France is rightly famous.
France exports know-how in the graphic arts and 3D animation, as well as in the more traditional areas of fashion and textiles.

The country's postsecondary programs in woodworking, furniture-making, glass-blowing, masonry, ceramics, and perfumes, flavors, and essences are world famous.

The taste professions (gourmet cooking, bread-making, chocolate and pastry-making) are represented by some of the world's most famous names—Alain Ducasse, Paul Bocuse, and Pierre Gagnaire, to name just a few. The "taste of France" contributes in no small part to the country's international allure.

Sports and athletics

France has a long history of training athletic champions. The physical education sections of French secondary schools and the training centers affiliated with professional sports teams and athletic clubs train top-notch athletes in individual and team sports (swimming, figure skating, tennis, skiing, soccer, and basketball).

The excellent athletic facilities available in Paris and throughout France host world-class competitions, among them world cups in soccer and rugby, the winter olympics, and the Euro 2016 soccer tournament.

Sources: campusfrance.org