Kenyan students seeking university education abroad have an opportunity to access scholarships worth up to KSh 1.5 million at Sunway University in Malaysia, particularly those who performed well in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
Teachers and students attending an education forum at a Nairobi hotel were introduced to the university's academic programmes, including training in artificial intelligence (AI), industry partnerships and opportunities for international students.
The university also facilitates work-study opportunities, allowing students to gain practical industry experience while pursuing their education.
Speaking at the forum, Sunway University Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Abhi Veerakumarasivam said Kenyan students at the institution had excelled academically, adding that the university was proud to contribute to Kenya's human capital development.
He emphasised the importance of recognising individual students' abilities and career aspirations, noting that the institution provides opportunities for students to connect with industry professionals while studying.
"We allow our students to study digital AI along with their main course, and we encourage our students to look forward to working in the industries they train in or becoming entrepreneurs," said Dr Abhi.
He added that the university encourages students to gain international exposure and experience through its diverse academic community.
Addressing teachers and students, Sunway University's Africa Regional Representative, Justine Phua, outlined the institution's degree programmes, highlighting their focus on employability and practical skills.
"We offer quality and ensure close contact between lecturers and students during the learning period," she said.
Imperial Education Consultants Director Mohamed Karama, who studied in Malaysia, said his institution helps students access bridging courses, particularly those who may not meet the requirements for direct admission to foreign universities.
"During my studies in Malaysia, we realised that many professors were not just teaching but were leading professionals in their respective areas of discipline, including engineering," Karama said.
He added that Imperial Education Consultants was awaiting accreditation from the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA).
The institution already offers language and science courses designed to help students meet admission requirements for selected foreign universities and colleges.
It also provides information technology courses, which can give students an added advantage when applying for university admission abroad.
Growing interest in foreign universities
Sunway University is among several international institutions seeking to attract Kenyan students as interest in foreign university education continues to grow.
The trend comes amid concerns about university admissions locally, with more than 50,000 KCSE candidates who reportedly attained the minimum university entry grade failing to apply for placement.
It also comes against the backdrop of recurring industrial disputes in Kenya's public universities, where lecturers have protested over the government's failure to implement previously negotiated collective bargaining agreements (CBAs).
During one such dispute, Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary-General Dr Constantine Wasonga called on lecturers to sustain industrial action until their demands were addressed.
"I call upon all lecturers to start the industrial action immediately, and I urge colleagues to keep the strike on no matter how long, till the government agrees to the terms of the CBA," Wasonga said.
Among the lecturers' grievances were salary increases, research funding and other employment benefits.
Wasonga attributed the dispute to what he described as the government's repeated failure to honour collective bargaining agreements, arguing that the situation had affected the quality of university education.
University strikes have also disrupted academic calendars, leaving students out of class for extended periods and raising concerns about the time available to complete coursework and prepare for examinations.
Education observers have linked challenges such as inadequate research funding, academic disruptions and limited international research visibility to the performance of Kenyan universities in global rankings.
Major international university rankings assess institutions using indicators such as teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement and international outlook.
Kenyan public universities continue to face funding pressures, particularly in research and academic development, which can affect their international competitiveness.
Lessons from Malaysia
Sunway University offers an example of how investment in research, industry partnerships and international academic engagement can strengthen a university's global profile.
The Malaysian institution was ranked 283rd globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026, reflecting its growing international standing.
The university highlights research funding, industry collaboration and academic programmes designed to equip graduates with skills relevant to the modern labour market.
Its approach places emphasis on combining classroom learning with practical experience, including exposure to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
For Kenyan universities, the experience offers lessons on the importance of sustained research investment, closer collaboration with industry and maintaining predictable academic calendars.
Sunway University is also promoting scholarship opportunities for academically strong Kenyan students, including awards reportedly worth about KSh 1.5 million for those who attain an A-minus grade or above in KCSE.
As competition for international students intensifies, the focus on scholarships, employability and research partnerships illustrates the growing importance of linking university education to the demands of the global economy.
Category: Education
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