Building bridges in Southeast Asia

Faculty talks with Indonesian, Thai, and Malaysian students spark curiosity and inspire Southeast Asia connections.
For prospective students in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, choosing a university is about more than earning a degree. Speaking recently with faculty members from the Department of Media and Communication, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, XJTLU, students from the region shared aspirations shaped by practical concerns: career opportunities, technological change, and the promise of a transformative international experience.

Through online sessions and in‑person visits in the three countries, the faculty introduced the university’s unique educational philosophy and the programmes offered by the DMC. Two online talks by Professor Xiaoling Zhang, interim dean of HSS and head of the DMC, on Feb. 22 drew over 70 registered high school students from across Indonesia.

Professor Zhang introduced the programmes and key highlights of the HSS and the DMC. The goal, she explained, was simple: to familiarize attendees with XJTLU's unique, internationally-focused educational offerings.

Beyond the programme introductions, what resonated most with the Indonesian students was the broader experience that studying at XJTLU could offer. According to Professor Zhang, students were particularly drawn to the opportunity “to understand China and Suzhou” and “to connect with teachers and students of different backgrounds.”

Their curiosity, however, extended beyond academics, she said. One question stood out: some students asked whether they could stay and work in China after graduation, revealing a forward-looking mindset about international career opportunities.

This practical orientation speaks to what Professor Zhang believes makes XJTLU appealing to Southeast Asian students: the ability to “combine theory with practice.” The programmes at HSS and DMC, she emphasized, are designed in response to the evolving job market, preparing students not just with knowledge, but also with skills that employers value.

Though the online format limited interaction primarily to programme-related questions, the students’ engagement reflected genuine interest in XJTLU’s offerings, she said. Professor Zhang noted that that exploring what specifically draws students to China, Suzhou, and XJTLU would be a valuable question for future outreach efforts.

The core message she hoped students would take away, she said, was clear: “Our programmes are designed in response to the evolving job market.”

Professor Xiaoling Zhang, interim dean of HSS and HoD of DMC. Official profile photo.

In Thailand, Dr Merisa Skulsuthavong, an assistant professor in the DMC, took a different approach, visiting schools in person on Feb. 11 and 12 to engage prospective applicants from local and international school communities in Chiang Mai, including Nakornpayap International School and Monfort College. At both schools, she also spoke with academic counsellors responsible for advising students on their academic goals and university applications.

Dr Skulsuthavong led roughly hour-long sessions, providing overview of the programme, outlining study options and the ways a degree in media and communication could shape career paths, with discussions following each session. She said one memorable moment came when a group of high school students interested in journalism requested a follow-up interview, asking about the future of media, artificial intelligence, and the attributes of a successful media professional.

“I was very impressed,” Dr Skulsuthavong said. “The questions were very insightful, and they listened carefully to my responses.”

Beyond academic content, students also showed strong interest in everyday life in Suzhou. According to Dr Skulsuthavong, many questions focused on living conditions, including food, transportation and social life, reflecting a broader concern with overall student experience rather than study alone.

She noted that the appeal of XJTLU’s international environment and dual-degree system would serve as a pull factor for students from Southeast Asia. “You get both a University of Liverpool degree and an XJTLU degree without having to travel far,” she explained, adding that the university offers “the best of both worlds” through its blend of Eastern and Western educational approaches.

Dr Skulsuthavong said she would like to make future sessions more hands-on by demonstrating real-world media careers in practice. She emphasised that persistence matters more than raw talent in shaping students’ development.

“Effort makes the difference,” she said. “You can be smart or creative, but without effort, it doesn’t take you very far.”

Dr Merisa Skulsuthavong presents HSS and the DMC at Nakornpayap International School, Chiang Mai. Photo courtesy of NIS.

Dr Merisa Skulsuthavong speaks with a student, following one of her presentations. Photo courtesy of NIS.

In Malaysia, Dr Sheau Wen Ong, an assistant professor in the DMC, engaged with students across two settings on 10 January and 6 February, including an education fair in Kuala Lumpur and a visit to a private Malaysian university, where she spoke with both prospective undergraduates and current public relations students.

The interactions were largely informal, she said, allowing for open and candid conversations about studying media and communication at XJTLU. Rather than focusing solely on academic content, Dr Ong presented the programme as a broader international experience that combines education with personal growth.

“It’s not just an academic pursuit, but a transformative international experience,” she said.

One of the most memorable moments, she noted, came from students’ humorous initial impressions of the university’s name. Some associated “Jiaotong” with “traffic lights” or “traffic police,” while “Liverpool” reminded them of the football club rather than an academic institution.

Beyond these first impressions, students expressed strong interest in China’s rapidly developing technological landscape and in XJTLU as a bridge between East and West. Several saw value in gaining an international perspective while studying within one of the world’s largest higher education systems. Questions from students often extended beyond academics, Dr Ong said. They asked about employability, tuition costs, campus life and what it feels like to study in a highly competitive environment in China.

“They don’t just see the degree as a certificate,” she said. “They see it as a way to become more competitive and to stand out in the Malaysian job market.”

Reflecting on these conversations, Dr Ong observed a sense of both ambition and uncertainty among students. While some described XJTLU as “prestigious” and a place for highly capable students, she noted an underlying concern about whether they would be able to meet such expectations.

She added that Malaysia’s geographical and cultural proximity to China offers an experience that is “adventurous but not alien,” lowering the psychological barrier for students considering overseas education.

Dr Ong suggested exploring the career trajectories of XJTLU graduates returning to Malaysia, particularly how local employers perceive their degrees.

She emphasized that studying abroad, especially in China, should not be seen as a leap into the unknown, but as “a transformation of who you are and what you are capable of.”

According to X-Global, the university’s international student recruitment office, Indonesia and Thailand are among the top ten countries of origin for applicants to the DMC this year, with Indonesia leading the list. Others on the list include Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Pakistan, South Korea, India, Uzbekistan, and Bangladesh.

“The number of international applications to the DMC has doubled from March 2025 to this March,” said Kirsty Mattinson, Director of X-Global.

Dr Sheau Wen Ong, assistant professor in the DMC. Official profile photo.