Sunway College & Victoria University celebrate 30-year partnership

Sunway College in Malaysia and Victoria University (VU) have shared a successful transnational partnership for three decades. 

The historic partnership has generated countless opportunities for thousands of students to pursue dynamic and rewarding careers.  

The VU Bachelor of Business was first offered with Sunway in 1994, and students have had the opportunity to complete the entire VU degree at the campus based in Kuala Lumpur since 1999. 

The hallmark of the two institutions is a dedication to collaboration, with Sunway College implementing the VU Block Model in 2023, along with a shared commitment to providing outstanding educational opportunities for students. 

Late last month, a series of events in Kuala Lumpur celebrated the 30th anniversary of the first intake of students into the VU Bachelor of Business degree. 

VU’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker and Sunway Education Group CEO Professor Elizabeth Lee opened a photographic exhibition from the archives. The opening ceremony was followed by a gala dinner attended by over 350 distinguished guests, VU and Sunway colleagues, alumni and students, and the events concluded with the VU Malaysia graduation ceremony. 

“The partnership between VU and Sunway Education Group continues to be so successful in creating confident, creative, ethical, and respectful local and global citizens from both institutions,” Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker. 

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri, Sir Jeffrey Cheah KVE AO, Founder and Chairman or the Sunway Group, said he looked forward to the next phase of the partnership with Sunway College hosting more faculty and staff from VU, as well as welcoming more Australian and international students to pursue part of their studies on a 'campus with a conscience’.  

“The enduring popularity of this program among Malaysians and the achievements of our growing alumni attests to what our collaboration has accomplished over the years,” said Sir Cheah. 

Sunway College in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was established in 1987 and is part of the Sunway Education Group (established by the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation). VU courses at Sunway contain the same curriculum as the same course in Melbourne. VU teaching staff regularly travel to Malaysia to deliver weekend classes and attend a yearly graduation ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur. 

VU attendees for the events included Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor John Germov, Caryn Nery (Director Transnational Education Partnerships, Transnational Education Partnerships), Michelle Gillespie (Chief Student Officer), Ranjith Ihanalayake (Head of VU Business School), Raquel Licciardi (Director Teaching & Learning), Mira Paschetto (Manager Partnerships & Operations), Emma Scott (Associate Director Event Services), Nicolette Dimkopoulos (Senior Advisor Operations), Wade Spencer (Senior Advisor Digital Events), Steve Wright (Manager Enrolments & Fees), Jose Luis Guzman Medina (Manager Exams, Results & Awards).  

Alumna Dr Racheal Louis Vincent completed a Master of International Business at Sunway, then later returned as a lecturer. “The pure dedication and sincerity of the Sunway lectures are priceless and cannot be compared to other universities. I will always treasure the three great years I had at Sunway,” said Dr Louis Vincent.