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UK university owed millions by Malaysian campus, says report
5 hours ago
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University of Nottingham spokesman says this year's financial statements are 'not reliable' to determine the performance of the campus
University of Nottingham’s Malaysian campus is seeing declining income and student numbers, according to the report by Nottinghamshire Live. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: University of Nottingham is owed millions of pounds by its campus in Malaysia, according to a report citing the UK university’s latest financial statements.
Nottinghamshire Live reported that the university, a part of the Russell Group, had made hundreds of job cuts while two of its campuses in the UK were put up for sale amid financial pressures.
The university’s financial statements for the year ended July 31, 2025, stated that it had £5.1 million (about RM26.9 million) in “doubtful debts” involving historic management fees that were “overdue” from its campus in Semenyih, Selangor.
The accounts noted that the university manages teaching at the Malaysian campus and receives a management fee, in addition to a share of the surplus or deficit of the campus’s financial performance based on its 29.9% shareholding.
The university said it recorded the £5.1 million as doubtful debt “in recognition of University of Nottingham Malaysia’s more challenging financial position”.
The statements also showed that University of Nottingham spent £595,000 (about RM3.13 million) on its Malaysian entity in the last financial year while receiving only £380,000 (about RM2 million) in income.
This decline in income was a sharp decrease from the over £1.8 million (over RM9.49 million) recorded in both 2024 and 2023, and just over £2.8 million (about RM14.76 million) in 2022.
The accounts stated that the amount due from the Malaysian campus stood at £7.599 million (about RM40.05 million) as of July 2025, up from £5.558 million (about RM29.29 million) the year before.
A spokesman for University of Nottingham said it was “not reliable” to rely on the latest financial statements alone to assess the overall performance of the Semenyih campus.
“It is important to look at the wider benefits that our overseas campuses bring to the university and our global community.
“The University of Nottingham was a pioneer in transnational education when we opened our campus in Malaysia,” the spokesman said, adding that the university’s “global outlook” was what differentiated it within the UK higher education sector.
While the university did not disclose current student numbers at the Malaysian campus in its financial statements, an impact report for its 25th anniversary said there were 4,056 students there in 2024.
This was a decrease compared with the 4,866 students reported in 2016 and 4,881 in 2017. In 2021, the university said the campus had 5,200 students.
In 2021, the university announced plans to buy out its Malaysian joint venture partner, Boustead Holdings Bhd, for £23.5 million (about RM123.85 million).
However, the deal was never concluded and the university’s spokesman declined to comment on the reason.
FMT has reached out to University of Nottingham Malaysia for comment.
Nottinghamshire Live reported that the university, a part of the Russell Group, had made hundreds of job cuts while two of its campuses in the UK were put up for sale amid financial pressures.
The university’s financial statements for the year ended July 31, 2025, stated that it had £5.1 million (about RM26.9 million) in “doubtful debts” involving historic management fees that were “overdue” from its campus in Semenyih, Selangor.
The accounts noted that the university manages teaching at the Malaysian campus and receives a management fee, in addition to a share of the surplus or deficit of the campus’s financial performance based on its 29.9% shareholding.
The university said it recorded the £5.1 million as doubtful debt “in recognition of University of Nottingham Malaysia’s more challenging financial position”.
The statements also showed that University of Nottingham spent £595,000 (about RM3.13 million) on its Malaysian entity in the last financial year while receiving only £380,000 (about RM2 million) in income.
This decline in income was a sharp decrease from the over £1.8 million (over RM9.49 million) recorded in both 2024 and 2023, and just over £2.8 million (about RM14.76 million) in 2022.
The accounts stated that the amount due from the Malaysian campus stood at £7.599 million (about RM40.05 million) as of July 2025, up from £5.558 million (about RM29.29 million) the year before.
A spokesman for University of Nottingham said it was “not reliable” to rely on the latest financial statements alone to assess the overall performance of the Semenyih campus.
“It is important to look at the wider benefits that our overseas campuses bring to the university and our global community.
“The University of Nottingham was a pioneer in transnational education when we opened our campus in Malaysia,” the spokesman said, adding that the university’s “global outlook” was what differentiated it within the UK higher education sector.
While the university did not disclose current student numbers at the Malaysian campus in its financial statements, an impact report for its 25th anniversary said there were 4,056 students there in 2024.
This was a decrease compared with the 4,866 students reported in 2016 and 4,881 in 2017. In 2021, the university said the campus had 5,200 students.
In 2021, the university announced plans to buy out its Malaysian joint venture partner, Boustead Holdings Bhd, for £23.5 million (about RM123.85 million).
However, the deal was never concluded and the university’s spokesman declined to comment on the reason.
FMT has reached out to University of Nottingham Malaysia for comment.
University of Nottingham is a reputable UK uni and the local branch is well regarded, which makes the financial crisis a pitty.
ReplyDeleteThe university campus is way out in a rural part of Semenyih, not really preferred by local Malaysians, and has largely missed the boom in foreign students such as from China and India, perhaps due to poor marketing or other reasons.
Jibby’s Alma Mater that awarded him a degree under dubious circumstances. Following the 1MDB scandal a Petition to remove his portrait in the Uni was rejected. Jibby rewarded the Uni by granting them permission to open branch here.
ReplyDeleteSee lah what happen now. Karma.Everything he touches turns out bad.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak faced allegations in 2019 that his 1974 Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Economics from the University of Nottingham was obtained under questionable circumstances. Critics questioned if he completed all required exams, but the university confirmed his graduation, and he later received an honorary doctorate in 2004.
DeleteKey Details Regarding the Controversy:
Allegations: Critics, including DAP's Chong Zhemin, challenged the legitimacy of Najib’s degree, alleging he did not sit for all required exams and calling for the release of his transcripts.
Verification: The University of Nottingham confirmed in February 2019 that Najib did graduate from their British campus in 1974.
Honorary Degree: In 2004, the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus awarded Najib an honorary Doctor of Laws.
Other Distinctions: Najib was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by Meiji University in 2010.
Context: These claims arose during a period of intense scrutiny over his academic qualifications and his subsequent legal issues.
How convenient, the YouTube video is no longer available….
ReplyDeleteAbdul Rahman Mohd Noor says he knows Najib didn’t sit his degree exams, because he was the attache in the London High Commission in charge of student affairs at the time and had also been detailed to assist with the medical aspects surrounding the last month of Najib’s father’s life.
https://www.sarawakreport.org/2017/04/najib-should-authorise-the-release-of-his-degree-record/
Exams transcripts mana?
https://www.malaymail.com/amp/news/malaysia/2019/02/12/uks-nottingham-sheds-light-on-najibs-degree-but-mystery-remains/1722107
My grandson oso got “graduation cap” picture when he graduated from kindi…..
https://www.todayonline.com/world/cap-picture-doesnt-prove-youre-graduate-najib-told