MAI Rector Mikhail Pogosyan speaks at the meeting of the Russian-Malaysian intergovernmental commission in Vladivostok

August 13, 2026

On August 13, Mikhail Pogosyan, Rector of Moscow Aviation Institute and academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, spoke on the development of educational partnership between Russia and Malaysia during the 5th Meeting of the Joint Russian Malaysian Commission on Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation. The session was co chaired by Valery Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, and Zambry Abdul Kadir, Minister of Higher Education of Malaysia. In his speech, Prof. Pogosyan emphasized the importance of joint efforts between the two countries in the field of higher education and elaborated on the role of Moscow Aviation Institute in building long term relationships with leading universities in Malaysia. Since 2005, MAI has been delivering a joint bachelor’s degree program with Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (UniKL MIAT). Until 2023, the program followed a 1+4 model: in their first year, students had classes at Universiti Kuala Lumpur, and then for four years at Moscow Aviation Institute.

"More than 500 Malaysian students have completed their studies at MAI. 336 of them are graduates of the joint program with Universiti Kuala Lumpur, many of whom are building successful careers in aircraft maintenance and working in international organizations and government agencies that perform regulatory functions in the field of civil aviation," Mikhail Pogosyan noted.

The program underwent a restructuring in 2023. Today, it follows a 3+2 model: for the first three years, students learn in Malaysia under a vocational diploma program, which includes additional disciplines taught by MAI faculty. After completing their studies at UniKL MIAT, they come to Russia to proceed with the bachelor's degree program in Aircraft and Engine Maintenance at Moscow Aviation Institute. The training is conducted in English. The first intake for the updated program was 14 people.

"This July, MAI welcomed the first cohort of students enrolled in the updated program. The University has organized a two month course for them, aimed at facilitating a smooth transition to two years of study in Russia," Mikhail Pogosyan said.

The Bridging Program, an adaptation program for Malaysian students, includes the course “Introduction to Aerospace Engineering,” during which students learn the fundamentals of aerodynamics, design, and the product life cycle, as well as engineering and mathematics modules. In September, their third year bachelor’s degree program classes will start. Upon graduation, the students will receive two educational certificates: a diploma from UniKL MIAT and a bachelor’s degree certificate from Moscow Aviation Institute. Since 2025, cooperation has also been developing with Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM): an academic mobility program has been launched, with 46 Malaysian students enrolled — some of the classes for them are conducted by MAI faculty members.

"The approach to engineering education at MAI is based on close cooperation between academia and industry. We see potential in involving industrial partners from Malaysia, interaction with which would allow MAI and Malaysian universities to adapt educational programs to the real challenges of the industry," Mikhail Pogosyan emphasized.

During his presentation, MAI's Rector announced plans to expand the cooperation. Together with Universiti Kuala Lumpur, work is underway to launch a master’s degree program in a 1+1 format (one year at UniKL MIAT and another one at MAI), as well as a double degree undergraduate program in collaboration with Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka. The latter is scheduled for 2027.

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