In a significant step toward deepening regional collaboration in education and talent development, the Asia School of Business and the Tsinghua University PBC School of Finance (Tsinghua PBCSF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a framework for long-term cooperation between two leading academic institutions in Asia.
The MoU reaffirms both institutions’ belief that education is a powerful bridge between nations, one that cultivates leadership, expands mutual understanding, and anchors prosperity through the exchange of knowledge. It outlines efforts to collaborate in areas including postgraduate and executive education programmes, faculty and research exchanges, joint academic conferences, and cross-border research initiatives on topics of global and regional significance.
“This partnership reflects the values of scholarship and goodwill, where collaboration across borders must become a force for good,” said Distinguished Professor Joseph Cherian, the CEO, President, and Dean of the Asia School of Business, “With our colleagues at Tsinghua PBCSF, we see this as a pathway to shared leadership, shared knowledge, and shared progress for the region and beyond.”
This collaboration aligns with Malaysia’s growing reputation as a premier destination for international education, particularly among Chinese students seeking an English-speaking academic environment rooted in Asian values and regional relevance. Conversely, Chinese universities, especially world-class institutions like Tsinghua, are attracting rising numbers of Malaysian students and scholars, drawn by the depth of expertise and the scale of industry that China offers.
Professor Jie Jiao, Dean of the Tsinghua University PBC School of Finance affirmed, “We believe this is not only a partnership between institutions, but also a reaffirmation of a broader friendship between peoples. By investing in joint education and leadership development, the future of Asia will be led by those who can think across borders, act with integrity, and collaborate for the greater good.”
The Founding Chair and Co-Chair of the Asia School of Business, and former Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz said, “The common focus of our respective schools in education is to provide foundations that are contextualised to the emerging world so that it will contribute to an increased understanding of its financial and economic functioning in the world so as to cultivate the next generation of stewards and talent that will make a difference in the global economy. The alignment and purpose of our two institutions is to bridge policy, practice and education, in service of the public good.”
This MoU advances the wider vision of talent development under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). As China deepens its engagements across ASEAN, a critical priority has emerged, in cultivating globally competent, locally grounded talent capable of leading projects, stewarding investments, and serving as cultural and economic bridges. With Malaysia’s position at the heart of Southeast Asia and its long-standing economic and educational ties with China, the Asia School of Business is uniquely positioned to become a key contributor to this vision.
Through this collaboration, grounded in trust and shared stewardship, the Asia School of Business and Tsinghua PBCSF aim to develop joint academic programmes, produce co-authored research in key areas such as finance, sustainable development, digital innovation, and public policy, and offer experiential learning opportunities across the region.