Human resource development in BIMP-EAGA region: strengths of Malaysia-EAGA institutions of higher learning

Investment in human capital is vital for economic development of a nation. It also contributes towards human resource development. Human resource development is one of the key areas targeted under BIMP-EAGA areas of co-operation. This paper will focus on the strengths that Malaysian institutions of higher learning have towards human resource development in this sub-regional economic growth area and the ASEAN region as a whole. Some of the strengths of Malaysian institutions of higher learning in EAGA region include supportive Malaysian government policies in making Malaysia as a regional educational hubincreasing importance of skill based production in Southeast Asian countriescourses offered which are of relevance to the labour market needsrapid developments in Malaysia-EAGAa global network of strategic collaborationdiversity of culture and safe studying environment and qualified expertise available in Malaysia-EAGA institutions of higher learning. These factors can contribute towards enhancing the potential of Malaysia generally and Malaysia-EAGA specifically in human resource development in EAGA region