3 benefits of your university having an international partnership | Top Universities
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3 benefits of your university having an international partnership

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Craig OCallaghan

Updated Dec 23, 2024
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Sponsored by Sunway University 

It might not be the first thing you check when comparing universities, but there are several benefits to studying at a university with established international partnerships with other universities. 

Sunway University in Malaysia has recently partnered with Arizona State University in the United States, creating opportunities for academic, cultural, and professional growth.  

Let’s take a closer look at how international partnerships such as this can benefit you as a student. 

Access to study abroad opportunities 

Through the partnership with Arizona State University, Sunway University students have access to top-notch US degree programs with students able to complete the first two years of the undergraduate degree at Sunway University before transferring to the US to finish their degree. 

This transfer programme covers over 100 degree courses, and course content has been developed to allow for seamless transfer between Malaysia and the US. This means that even while studying in Malaysia, Sunway students will benefit from a more robust American-style education.  

Shared knowledge and research development 

Collaboration is at the heart of all great academic research, and partnerships such as this are an excellent way for students, academics, and researchers to collaborate and share knowledge with other institutions. 

Through this partnership, Sunway University is part of a global network of institutions striving to develop high-quality, innovative teaching across all disciplines, pushing international standards in education higher than before. Sunway University students and faculties can access ASU’s leading-edge content and curriculum, master classes, certificates, global signature courses, and study abroad experiences. 

In announcing the partnership, Michael M. Crow, President of Arizona State University, said: “We are honored to announce our exciting new collaboration with one of Malaysia's top universities...We look forward to the opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from each other, and ultimately be a catalyst for positive change in our communities.” 

This exchange of ideas and research will be particularly significant for students, who will be able to collaborate with peers on a global scale.  

Career opportunities 

An international partnership also means that the university has a wider pool of industry connections, which can be helpful when the students are ready to graduate and enter the workplace. 

For example, full-time students from Sunway University who attend Arizona State University for more than one academic year will become eligible to participate in Optional Practical Training (OPT) after they graduate, enabling them to get paid work experience for up to three years in the US, depending on the degree. 

This foothold in one of the top graduate job markets is a fantastic example of the tangible benefits of an international partnership, ensuring you’re well-supported as you make those first steps towards the career of your dreams. 

Professor Sibrandes Poppema, President of Sunway University, said: “The partnership signifies an exceptional milestone for Sunway University...ensuring that our graduates continue to be future-ready by being highly employable, entrepreneurial, and sustainability conscious. 

“Arizona State University’s commitment to inclusiveness and sustainability perfectly aligns with Sunway’s core values of humility, integrity, and excellence.”