Malaysia

Comparability of Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral Degrees

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) have released the publication: The Comparability of Qualifications in New Zealand and Malaysia: A Comparative Analysis of Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral Degrees (PDF, 4.7MB).

The publication presents information on the comparability of New Zealand and Malaysia’s Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral Degrees, for the purpose of increasing the portability and recognition of qualifications between the two countries.

The publication showcases the projects that NZQA and MQA carried out from 2011-2015, as part of their obligations under the New Zealand - Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (NZMFTA).

See below for details related to the recognition of New Zealand and Malaysian qualifications.

The benefits of NZQA and MQA's joint projects

The comparability projects completed by NZQA and MQA support:

  • employers, educational institutions, government agencies and other stakeholders to make judgements about the value and comparability of particular qualifications in practice
  • the recognition of New Zealand Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral Degrees for employment purposes in the Malaysian public service (see below).

These benefits increase New Zealand’s attractiveness as a study destination by reducing the barriers to employment for students returning to Malaysia after graduating, and support the flow of skilled professionals between New Zealand and Malaysia.

Recognition processes for New Zealand and Malaysian qualifications

NZQA and MQA’s publication supplements the information available to qualifications recognition authorities, employers, educational institutions, government agencies and other stakeholders. It is not intended to replace processes for assessing an individual’s qualification. The outcomes of this project work do not guarantee automatic recognition of any New Zealand or Malaysia qualification.

If you wish to have your qualifications assessed by NZQA, please see NZQA’s International Qualifications Assessment.

Graduates who wish to apply for employment in Malaysia’s public service are advised to refer to the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia for the relevant terms and conditions.

Holders of professional qualifications also need to meet regulated occupational standards for the purpose of practice. Professional bodies and registration authorities in New Zealand and Malaysia have the right to make their own decisions and requirements for membership or registration purposes.

Relationship between NZQA and MQA

NZQA has supported MQA to develop a quality assurance system and national qualifications framework. This builds on the longstanding education association between New Zealand and Malaysia, which dates back to the Colombo Plan scholarships of the 1950s and 1960s.

In April 2011, NZQA and MQA signed a Memorandum of Co-operation (MoC). The MoC established a mechanism for the recognition of qualifications between Malaysia and New Zealand (as required under Article 8.9(7) of the NZMFTA). The NZQA-MQA Working Group was established to deliver the Areas of Co-operation outlined in the MoC.

The Chief Executives of NZQA and MQA have signed joint statements on the comparability of Bachelor’s Master’s and Doctoral Degrees in New Zealand and Malaysia. Please see:

Contact us

For more information, or to give us feedback, please email: internationalunit@nzqa.govt.nz.

 
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