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For 20 years, Sunway University and Lancaster University have built a partnership that has become a global benchmark for transnational education (TNE). Established in 2006, the collaboration has grown into one of the most successful UK–Malaysia higher education partnerships, providing students with access to world class education while advancing research, innovation and societal impact across borders.
Today, the partnership is recognised for its scale, breadth and long-term vision, offering programmes across disciplines from arts and business to engineering and the life sciences.
Reflecting on the partnership's evolution, Professor Sibrandes Poppema, President and Vice Chancellor of Sunway University, said, “As a mission-driven, 5th generation university, Sunway University believes strongly in the power of collaboration to create meaningful impact through education, research and innovation. We have seen student numbers grow and new opportunities for research, innovation and international engagement emerge.”
The partnership has also strengthened UK–Malaysia higher education relations through academic exchange, talent development and research collaboration. While it began as a bilateral partnership, it is now exploring opportunities in countries such as China and Indonesia, reflecting a shared ambition that continues to extend beyond borders.
Professor Simon Guy, Pro Vice Chancellor of Lancaster University, echoed the same sentiment, “Our partnership is driven by a shared endeavour to gain mutual advantage. It is the ‘Power of Two’ to maximise our collective wisdom and appeal to students, parents, employers and other strategic partners. In the hypercompetitive space that frames global education, it is the choice to collaborate rather than compete, to celebrate rather than criticise and to support rather than subjugate. In a partnership without boundaries, it is a free exchange rather than a calculated transaction, with co-development as the destination.”
The universities have entered a new phase of collaboration through the Lancaster–Sunway Partnership Co-Strategy 2024–2030, a shared roadmap to deepen collaboration across education, research, innovation and sustainability. Among its key outcomes is the Future Cities Research Institute (FCRI), which brings together expertise from Malaysia and the United Kingdom to address the challenges of sustainable urbanism and inclusive development.
The Co-Strategy reflects the shared ambition of both universities to strengthen their contribution to sustainable development, expand opportunities for students and researchers, and create greater impact through innovation and engagement.
Professor Poppema expressed optimism about the future of the collaboration, “Both universities share a strong commitment to sustainable development, and I believe there are significant opportunities for deeper collaboration in this area that will benefit both institutions. I also look forward to expanding our research collaborations into new and emerging areas, building on the strengths and expertise of both universities.”
Professor Simon Guy added, “Our aspiration is to model what we call TNE 5.0 together, to embrace sustainability and to create a global partnership that enables students to follow their own values guided lifelong learning pathways and deliver impactful research and engagement on a global scale.”
As Sunway University and Lancaster University celebrate this milestone, the anniversary reflects two decades of shared values, mutual trust and a commitment to transforming lives through education. It also stands as a testament to what can be achieved when institutions are united by a common purpose, working together to create meaningful impact for students, communities and society at large.