Article: International Higher Education Partner of the Year 2025: who made the shortlist? Written by CMI Insights Wednesday 08 April 2026 Share Share to LinkedIn Share to Facebook Share via email This category recognises CMI’s higher education partners outside the UK and their commitment to improving standards of management and leadership. Below, we share which institutions made the shortlist With spring having arrived, the announcement of the winners of the CMI Awards of Excellence is just around the corner. This week, we’re highlighting the shortlist for International Higher Education Partner of the Year, a category that celebrates CMI’s higher education (HE) partners outside the UK. All over the world, HE institutions are equipping learners with the skills they need to flourish in a rapidly changing economy. With this award, we’re celebrating those partners that have demonstrated a clear positive impact on their students’ experience, professional development and employability. Here are the institutions that made the shortlist. IPK College Penang, Malaysia Based in Penang, Malaysia, IPK College offers programmes from certificate to degree level across business, technology and hospitality. Everything is designed to equip students with practical skills and professional confidence. The team at IPK College said its partnership with CMI has helped it create “a learning environment that is current, professionally grounded and internationally relevant, preparing learners not just to complete their studies, but also to build sustainable and meaningful careers”. Find out more The winners of the CMI Awards of Excellence will be announced in spring 2026. Read up on all the categories and shortlisters at the link below. Let's go The judges commended the institution for its commitment to “innovation and sustainability”, highlighting its use of competitions to validate skills. The university embeds leadership into major real-world events, such as the internationally recognised Culinary World Cup, which provides students with “tangible, portfolio-worthy achievements” and the confidence to launch successful enterprises. Winning the award would confirm that our many years of supporting and working closely with CMI have made a real difference to how we teach, support students and develop professionalism. It would also recognise our belief that higher education should not focus only on academic results, but also on building good work habits, ethical thinking, leadership skills and employability Keep reading – who else made the shortlist? Login or register below for Free Instant Access Login If you are already registered as a CMI Friend, Subscriber or Member, just login to view this article. Confirm your registration Login below to confirm your details and access this article. Log in Register for Free Access Not yet a Member, Subscriber or Friend? Register as a CMI Friend for free, and get access to this and many other exclusive resources, as well as weekly updates straight to your inbox. Article Our extensive range of articles are designed to keep you in the loop with all the latest management and leadership best practice, research and news. Members See More CMI Members have access to thousands of online learning and CPD resources. Learn more about our membership benefits Join The Community CMI offers a variety of flexible membership solutions, tailored to your needs. Find out more and get involved in the CMI community today.
