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The UCD Asia Pacific Global Centre, based in Kuala Lumpur, is one of five UCD Global Centres. The Centre serves as the University’s regional hub for student support and partnership development across academia, research, government, industry, civil society and local communities in the dynamic and diverse Asia Pacific region.
The Centre’s role is to facilitate engagement, build relationships and strengthen collaboration by convening stakeholders, hosting events, and enabling strategic partnerships that advance UCD’s global ambitions. It provides on-the-ground support to prospective and current students, alumni, as well as university and government partners, while strengthening research and academic links across the region. The UCD Asia Pacific Global Centre fosters the conditions needed for student success and impactful, sustainable partnerships.
The RCSI-UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC) offers students a unique medical programme that combines studies in both Malaysia and Ireland. Wholly-owned by UCD and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), RUMC became the 10th institution awarded Foreign University Branch Campus status in Malaysia in 2018. Since its establishment in 1996 (as Penang Medical College), RUMC has graduated nearly 1,900 medical students, with the majority now practising in the Malaysian medical system. Visit the following page to learn more about the (opens in a new window)RUMC medical programme.
The UCD College of Business offers a range of Business majors via the Bachelor of Business Studies delivered in partnership with Kaplan in Singapore. Applications for these programmes in Singapore are managed by our partner institution, Kaplan Higher Education Academy. Visit the following page for information on the (opens in a new window)application process.
Since its establishment in Kuala Lumpur in 2015, the UCD Asia Pacific Global Centre has evolved from a small office with two staff members into a thriving regional hub that now supports activities in ten countries. Over the past decade, the Centre has built a strong foundation for Irish education in the region, forming impactful university partnerships and industry collaborations, expanding its agent network to over 250 representatives, its school network to over 500 schools, and helping thousands of students achieve their academic aspirations. Today, its reach and influence extend across the Asia Pacific region.
The Centre’s growth has been underpinned by a strong commitment to education as a force for social impact. It has awarded numerous scholarships across the region and connected with thousands of students through school outreach, guest lectures, and SDG-themed competitions. These efforts reflect UCD’s broader dedication to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly in promoting equitable access to education and preparing the next generation to address global challenges.
Among the Centre’s most notable initiatives are the SDG Innovation Competitions for secondary students, which encourage creative thinking and real-world problem-solving. UCD faculty and alumni also contribute to regular STEM-focused school visits, inspiring young students to pursue careers in science, engineering, and technology. The Centre’s scholarship portfolio includes long-standing programmes such as the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand Scholarship—launched in 2015—as well as the newly introduced LPDP-UCD Scholarship for Indonesian postgraduate students.
UCD’s investment in community engagement has also extended to alumni development, with active chapters now established in countries across the region. These networks serve as vital platforms for continued connection, knowledge exchange, and leadership development. Looking to the future, the Centre plans to develop and expand its network of collaborative partnerships with local universities, governments and industry, while increasing outreach to high schools.
We welcome partnerships with:
Our Asia Pacific regional team is predominantly based in the UCD Asia Pacific Global Centre in Kuala Lumpur, led by a regional manager based in Dublin.
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Christine serves as Interim Director for the APAC region at UCD. She focuses on the delivery of targeted, outcomes-driven strategies to strengthen UCD’s presence and impact across the region, working closely with colleagues across UCD Global and the wider University.
Institutions and organisations interested in engaging with UCD — across recruitment, alumni, industry, or government partnerships — are welcome to contact Christine, who would be pleased to explore opportunities for collaboration.
If you are from the Asia Pacific region and need any advice on application and admission to UCD, Kiko can help. She travels across the Southeast Asia and East Asia regions to share about life at UCD!
Your first point of contact to UCD and Ireland in the Asia Pacific Global Centre. If you want to know more about the programmes we offer, how to apply as well as what to do next after receiving an offer letter, Apple is more than happy to help.
Based in Kuala Lumpur, Ardini is passionate about helping prospective students navigate the admission process and find the right academic path. Having lived and studied abroad, she speaks from personal experience, enabling her to connect with students on a deeper level and understand the challenges they face when considering studying abroad. She is more than happy to help with any application related-enquiries!