Overseas vs Local Education

This topic came about after a long chat with one of my good friend a couple days back. My friend was telling about the importance of going to a overseas university to secure a good job for the future which I have to say I totally disagree with. His arguement was the Malaysian education is not well recognised and if given the opportunity, any organization will choose a graduate with an overseas degree rather than a graduate from a local university.

What do you guys think? Any truth from there?

I'll tell you why I disagree, firstly, what is a degree?its just a simple piece of paper/ certificate reognising your level of education. Am I wrong? So what if that piece of paper was printed in London, New York or even in Subang Jaya for the matter? Does the location of that piece of paper being distributed really matter? Does it define who we are and our capabilities to produce a good work?

It does not! I mean yeah it would be nice to have a degree from an overseas university but at the end of the day, it is just your passport to a job or career. It acts as no more than a guide for the employers when deciding if they should hire you. Fine maybe if your talking about a degree from any Ivy League schools like Harvard, Yale, Oxford or Cambridge then it might be a bit of an edge if compared to a local degree like University Sains Malaysia or even Taylors University College. I have to come to know of so many Malaysian entrepreneurs who have made it through life successfully with a local degree and some without any such sort of qualification even.

Here are some examples:

Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Malaysia's no. 1 shuttler who decided to pursue Badminton instead of furthering his studies.

Serena C, who graduated with a degree in Mass Communication from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. She was formally with Hitz.fm but now a radio announcer for Mix.fm.

The late Tan Sri Dato Sri SM Nasimuddin bin Amin, Founder & CEO of Naza Group of Companies. He started Naza from the bottom of the pile and brought it to where it is today without even a degree or such.

Datuk SM Zulkifli bin Amin, Group Operations Officer of Naza Group of Companies. He is one of the founding fathers of Naza Group and has led Naza to stability since the death of his brother, Tan Sri Nasimuddin. He as well managed to do all this without a degree but it was no easy task as he told " When Naza first started, I was the guy who washed the cars sparkling clean".

Of course, how can I leave out this man? Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing, Founder & President of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology(LUCT). He is an atrtistic person and in order to save his parents money during his childhood, he went into working life straight away after finishing form 5. Today he is a pioneer in education, leading LUCT to success.




Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Group Chief Editor of The Star Publications Bhd. He graduated from University Kebangsaan(Kampung) Malaysia with a degree in political science & history.





Datuk Seri Idris Jala, CEO of Malaysian Airlines(MAS). Graduated from University Sains Malaysia(USM) with a degree in Management, finishing with an award as one of the top graduates. He was the man behind generating MAS profit when they were deeply in debt.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Part de Factor Leader who graduated from our very own University Malaya. During his time there, he studied Malay Studies. He was voted by the Times magazine last year as one of the most influential person on the planet and you can probably see why. During the last election, he was one of the main key factors why Barisan suffered so many loses.




Now I would be bias if I said, an overseas education was not worth it and we Malaysians should all stay in Malaysia and study. No I acknowledge that there has been many succesful graduates from overseas education institutions such as:

Datuk Seri Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia. He graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in Industrial Economics and just like his late father and uncle, he too is now Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Hunny Madu, Fly.fm radio announcer, musician and actress. She graduated from a university in Australia with a degree in Public Relations & Journalism. You may not recognise her looks butyou certainly will recognise her cheery voice. Today, her voice is heard nationwide, turning her into a famous personality among Malaysian radio listeners.

Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes, CEO of Air Asia. I would be stupid if I left this guy out as he is probably the ideal model of a 21st century entrepreneur. He graduated from the London School of Economics(LSE) with a degree in accounting. Prior to Air Asia, Tony worked with one of the world's richest, Sir Richard Branson who owns Virgin. After learning from the best, Tony brought back to Malaysia his experience and turned a dying airline into today's no.1 choice.

Last but not least is the famous blogger, Kenny Sia. He graduated from the Curtin University of Technology with a degree in Physics and Honours in Electronic & Communication Engineering. He was a little known Sarawakian, living an ordinary life with a hobby of blogging but not for comercial success, it was more like a private online diary. Who knew, 4 years later, the blog would be earning him thousands a month and getting him free invite? He was practically The Star of blogs. Nowadays, He divides his time for blogging, working as an IT manager, part-time media and lecturer/speaker.


I'm not discouraging anybody to study overseas but do it for the right reasons and not for the excuse of getting a good job. It is not the university that decides your career, it is you who decide.

(The Living Legend still insist on going London to study even after this=p)