The Role of Internationalization in the Sustainability of Private Colleges in the Malaysian Higher Education System

Malaysia is actively pursuing the status of a developed nation, focusing on enhancing economic competitiveness through strategic improvements in higher education and research. Over the past decades, the government's commitment has been evident in the significant allocation of state resources, the establishment of an independent Ministry of Higher Education, and the implementation of continuous strategic planning. These efforts have fostered the development of a well-regulated and interoperable higher education system, achieving notable successes in educational quality and internationalisation. Despite these advancements, the private higher education sector faces persistent sustainability challenges, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines the case of partner institutions affiliated with the University of Nyíregyháza, which, though small, demonstrate dynamic leadership and ambitious future goals. Through onsite data collection and experience, we explore how robust organization and enhanced internationalization processes can stabilize private institutions. The findings suggest that further strengthening internationalization is a viable strategy to address sustainability issues in smaller educational organizations. This study contributes to the discourse on the strategic development of higher education in emerging economies and offers practical insights for enhancing institutional sustainability through internationalization. Keywords: Malaysian education, private higher institute, internationalisation, sustainable education