Aisha Ndiaye

Aisha was three years into a business intelligence role in Dakar and wanted a formal data science qualification, without the financial exposure of a Western European programme.

A September-only intake would have meant resigning months in advance or waiting a full year. Neither was acceptable.

There was also a recognition question — whether a Malaysian postgraduate qualification would be read properly by employers back in West Africa and in Europe.

We identified programmes with a May intake and worked back from it, which gave a submission window compatible with a proper notice period.

On recognition, we showed how to verify MQA accreditation on the public register directly, rather than relying on an assurance from us.

We also flagged the work rights position honestly: part-time work in Malaysia is limited to specific categories and periods, and the funding plan needed to assume no income from it.

The application was submitted in January and the offer arrived in February, which allowed a two-month notice period to be served in full.

The EMGS student pass application was lodged in March with photographs and passport scans checked against specification before submission. The visa approval letter was issued in late April and Aisha arrived in Kuala Lumpur in early May.

Aisha completed the MSc in Data Science in late 2025 and moved into an analytics role in Kuala Lumpur.