Iskandar Investment, UK college in landmark deal

ISKANDAR Investment Bhd (IIB), the catalytic developer of Iskandar Malaysia in Johor, is expected to reveal numerous investments in the south economic region over the next few months.

"We continue to have growing interest from potential investors worldwide, who see potential in Iskandar Malaysia," said Khazanah Nasional Bhd managing director Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar.

IIB, a unit controlled by the state-owned Khazanah, is on track to surpass the US$13 billion (RM43.94 billion) foreign direct investment target for its first phase of development.

Yesterday, Education@Iskandar Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of IIB, signed a landmark agreement to develop Marlborough College Malaysia, as part of a long-term plan to establish EduCity - located within Iskandar Malaysia - as a world-class education hub.
The signing was witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister.

"Malaysia is an emerging contender to attract international students and the agreement between Iskandar Investment and Marlborough College is testament that we are moving in the right direction to become a global education hub in Asia," Muhyiddin said.

There are some 16,000 international students studying in private and international schools in Malaysia.

Marlborough College Malaysia is the first international venture for the leading British independent, co-educational boarding school for pupils aged between 13 and 18.

Expected to open in September 2012, Marlborough College Malaysia will provide first class education to local and international students across Asia.

Its 36.42ha campus here will see initial intake of 350 students in June 2012, with enrolment projected to increase gradually to up to 1,300 students in 2020.

Marlborough College Malaysia will boost economic growth in Iskandar Malaysia with the creation of over 340 job openings for academic and non-academic staff, with additional employment and business opportunities in the future.

The entry of one of UK's leading independent co-educational boarding schools follows investments from other education groups such as Newcastle University Medical Malaysia, which is due to open its campus in 2011.

IIB also recently inked an agreement with De Ruyter Maritime Institute and Willem Barentsz Maritime Institute to set up a Dutch Maritime University at EduCity.

Other institutions IIB is looking to bring in include skilled training institutions, international schools, research and development facilities and regional training centres.

By Business Times (by Rupinder Singh)