Malaysia: Exhilarating, unashamedly ambitious and a rising star as a hub for business education in Asia

A visit to the Asia School of Business in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

Sat in a humid airport and sweating profusely through a pink shirt – I have come to Malaysia to visit the Asia School of Business and wonder what I'm doing here. 

The taxi ride in takes an hour, with much of that chatting to the driver about postgraduate education. Education is clearly important here for Malaysians to break into the middle classes as the driver proudly lists his children achievements; one works for the UN and the other in a major bank. An air of regret lingers as he wonders what sort of future he might have had with a better chance at education. For many, the opportunity simply isn't there.

Malaysia is an exotic mix of Malay, Indian & Chinese. An overriding feeling I get is one of respect and integrity – everyone smiles, everyone is willing to help. 

The taxi drops me off in the middle of town, a tropical metropolis with advertisements and mega malls everywhere and head over to the Asia School of Business in a slight daze.

Set up in 2015, the school is essentially a startup. Excitement builds as I wonder what this school will be like. My thoughts turn to Eric Ries definition of a startup as ‘a human institution designed to deliver a new product or service under conditions of extreme uncertainty'. This seems to fit the bill!

Upon arrival, I'm warmly welcomed and shown around campus. The administrative team here is world class, and the streak of entrepreneurial excitement amongst them all as clear as the day is bright – these are ambitious and highly driven people and are looking to make The Asia School of Business the best school in the region.

The ambition of the school is translated in the blueprints of its grand new campus, ready in 2019. The plans are an impressive modern statement of intent not just for Asia School of Business but for Kuala Lumpur as a hub of innovation and education.

And the flagship program itself? Designed with components similar to the MIT offering (with Sloan professors teaching) with one key difference: MBA students will undertake a full five placements within businesses. Five! These are five opportunities to experience and work with different companies compared to one internship you would get on a traditional two-year program.

Of course, this school faces challenges in its young history and needs to bring to market new programs, secure accreditations and spots in the rankings to establish credibility. But it's a good bet and an investment for prospective students, this school is only going to enhance its regional and global reputation. MIT Sloan certainly thinks so and have backed the school on a long-term deal. 

The heat doesn't seem so bad when you are in this dynamic hub – a place of great change and innovation and Asia School of Business is close to the heart. Look out for some hard- hitting real life stories about the school's students and graduates on BusinessBecause in early 2019.