It’s probably crossed your mind – the dream of relocating your university career to a hotter climate where the common-or-garden of living is best, the living costs are cheaper and the taxes are lower into the discount. Was this place you envisioned south-east Asia
South-east Asia is the land of plenty – for those academics desirous to test the waters of better education overseas. As governments within the region push for more people to score higher qualifications, universities in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore are expanding to satisfy this increased demand for tertiary education. And with that demand come job vacancies, as leading universities inside the region recruit academic and administrative staff from overseas to maintain.
At an analogous time, Western universities are getting global institutions, with many UK institutions investing money in building campuses abroad. One such project, NUMed Malaysia, a campus run by Newcastle University in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, is currently offering 18-month to 3-year teaching stints. an advantage for the educational seeking a strategic getaway in a quick developing country. But with such a lot of institutions branching out overseas, how can academics make the move – and what’s university working life actually like in south-east Asia
There are many practicalities to contemplate before filing that job application, from relocation allowances to accomodation options. Then there’s the several pedagogic and bureaucratic approaches: “Give yourself time to conform to the local ways of doing things,” says Tom Vinaimont, assistant professor within the department of economics and finance on the City University of Hong Kong who has lived and worked in Asia for the past 10 years. “Western universities typically have a horizontal organisational structure. At Asian universities the structure is way more hierarchical.”
According to Vinaimont, the perks are worth it: a 16% maximum tax rate, a good number of time allocated to generously funded research, higher salaries at Asian universities than their European counterparts, and the risk to live in a city that’s constantly changing. These were only a few of the sells for him – now we wish to hear your thoughts, experience and advice.
Our panel of execs can be discussing both the advantages and challenges of relocating and dealing in south-east Asia on Wednesday 16 January from 12-2pm GMT. So whether you’re flying over to educate on a fleeting visit or putting down research roots for the foreseeable future, join us to listen to more about life and work within the region. It could actually just make your mind up.
