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University College Selangor

Genovasi University College

University College in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

At a Glance

Genovasi University College is a private university college located in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, with the distinctive position of being Malaysia's first and only design thinking-dedicated higher education institution. Genovasi Malaysia was launched on 1 August 2012 as a national initiative to equip Malaysians with an innovation mindset using the Design Thinking methodology, and was subsequently established as Genovasi University College by the Government of Malaysia in 2017. The institution operates as the Malaysian regional partner of the Hasso-Plattner-Institut School of Design Thinking (HPI D-School) at Potsdam University, Germany, the global home of the Design Thinking methodology alongside the Stanford d.school in California, and also maintains an institutional partnership with the d-school at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Genovasi's d.school Malaysia operates the Design Thinking training delivery for the Malaysian government ministries, the broader public sector, and major Malaysian corporates across telecommunications, media, financial services, and consumer goods. The university college operates with a dual-mode delivery framework combining conventional campus-based teaching and Open Distance Learning, with programme content positioned for Industry 4.0 readiness through innovation, entrepreneurship, and design-led problem solving.

Verified from MQA Malaysian Qualifications Register

Genovasi University College Fees 2026

Genovasi University College fees are estimated at RM 11,000 - RM 13,000/year per year.

Typical Annual Range
RM 11,000 - RM 13,000/year
Market estimate

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University Information

Institution Type
University College
State
Selangor
City
Petaling Jaya
Website
www.genovasi.edu.my
Fee Range
RM 11,000 - RM 13,000/year
Founded
2012 (14 years)
MQA Reference
View on MQA Register

About Genovasi University College

Genovasi University College is a private university college in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, with a position in the Malaysian higher education market that no other institution shares: it is Malaysia’s first and only Design Thinking-dedicated higher education institution. The institution’s institutional identity, programme portfolio, faculty model, and partnership network all anchor on the Design Thinking methodology that originated at the Stanford d.school and the Hasso-Plattner-Institut School of Design Thinking in Potsdam, Germany.

The institutional history runs through two principal phases. Genovasi Malaysia was launched on 1 August 2012 as a national initiative to equip Malaysians with an innovation mindset using the Design Thinking methodology. The original Genovasi Malaysia operated as a training and capacity-building organisation, delivering Design Thinking programmes for Malaysian government ministries, public sector agencies, and major Malaysian corporates. Through more than five years of training delivery, Genovasi built the capacity, faculty pool, and institutional credibility that supported the subsequent transition to formal higher education status. Genovasi University College was established as an accredited university college by the Government of Malaysia in 2017, formalising the institutional transition from training organisation to higher education institution.

The institution’s positioning rests on the Design Thinking specialism. Design Thinking is a problem-solving methodology that combines empathy with end users, ideation, prototyping, and iterative testing to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. The methodology originated at IDEO in the late 1980s and was systematised through the Stanford d.school (founded 2005) and the Hasso-Plattner-Institut School of Design Thinking at Potsdam University in Germany (founded 2007). Genovasi positions itself as the Malaysian academic home of the methodology, drawing institutional alignment from the global Design Thinking network rather than from the broader Malaysian higher education ecosystem.

Genovasi’s International Design Thinking Partnerships

Genovasi’s international partnership network is central to the institution’s design thinking-dedicated positioning. The principal international partner is the Hasso-Plattner-Institut School of Design Thinking (HPI D-School) at Potsdam University in Germany. HPI D-School is the European academic home of Design Thinking and the German counterpart to the Stanford d.school in California. Genovasi operates as the Malaysian regional partner of HPI D-School within the global Design Thinking academic network, giving Genovasi students and faculty access to the HPI methodology, training materials, faculty exchange opportunities, and the broader HPI alumni and corporate partner network.

The institutional partnership extends to the d-school at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, providing the African academic node within the Genovasi partnership network. The University of Cape Town d-school operates with a similar Design Thinking specialism and provides cross-continental academic exchange and joint research opportunities for Genovasi students.

Through the broader Global Design Thinking Institute network, Genovasi maintains alignment with the broader academic community of Design Thinking specialist institutions. The network includes the Stanford d.school (the global founding home of academic Design Thinking), the HPI D-School (the European hub), the University of Cape Town d-school (the African hub), and selected partner institutions in Asia, Australia, and the Americas.

Programmes at Genovasi University College

Genovasi University College’s programme portfolio combines the Design Thinking methodology specialism with applied content in business, IT, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The institution operates a dual-mode delivery framework combining conventional campus-based teaching at the Petaling Jaya campus and Open Distance Learning (ODL) for students engaging with the institution remotely.

Programme content typically integrates Design Thinking modules as core curriculum components across the institution’s accredited Diploma, Bachelor, and postgraduate programmes. Specific programme variants combine the Design Thinking specialism with applied subject areas including business administration, entrepreneurship, innovation management, IT, and digital transformation. The Industry 4.0 readiness positioning shapes the programme content alignment with the broader Malaysian and regional digital economy and the corporate innovation capability building requirement.

Beyond the formal accredited programme stack, Genovasi delivers executive education and corporate training programmes through its d.school Malaysia operation. These programmes are typically commissioned by client organisations (Malaysian government ministries, public sector agencies, GLCs, multinational corporates) for specific cohort training, organisational capability building, and innovation programme delivery. The executive education programmes do not lead to accredited qualifications but provide the practical Design Thinking skills development that the corporate market requires.

The MQA-accredited programme list at any given time is published on the Malaysian Qualifications Agency public register under the institutional entry. Prospective applicants should treat the MQA register as the authoritative reference for accredited programme availability before enrolment.

Genovasi d.school Malaysia and the Corporate Training Operation

The Genovasi d.school Malaysia operation runs alongside the formal university college programme stack and represents one of the institution’s distinctive features. The d.school Malaysia operation has delivered Design Thinking training programmes to Malaysian government ministries and agencies including innovation-related divisions, public service training organisations, and the broader civil service capability building programmes. The training reach extends to GLCs and major Malaysian corporates across telecommunications, media, financial services, consumer goods, and other industries.

The d.school Malaysia training delivery model typically involves multi-day intensive workshops, multi-week certification programmes, and bespoke corporate engagements designed for specific organisational capability building requirements. The training is delivered by the Genovasi-trained faculty pool with institutional alignment to the HPI D-School methodology and certification standards.

The intersection of formal higher education and corporate training is one of Genovasi’s distinctive operational features. Students enrolled in Genovasi accredited programmes engage with the same Design Thinking methodology and faculty pool that delivers the corporate training, providing programme content that is grounded in active corporate practice rather than purely academic theory. The corporate training revenue stream supports the institution’s broader academic operations and ties Genovasi closely to the Malaysian corporate innovation market.

Fees at Genovasi University College

Genovasi University College does not publish a consolidated public fee schedule covering every programme variant on its public-facing website. The fee positioning typically falls in the mid-tier range of the Malaysian private higher education market.

The dual-mode delivery framework means programme costs vary between the conventional campus-based variant (which includes the standard campus fees, resource access, and on-site teaching) and the Open Distance Learning variant (which typically operates at a lower cost given the reduced campus overhead). Specific 2026 figures should be requested directly from the Genovasi admissions office at the institutional website genovasi.edu.my, with reference to the chosen programme, the delivery mode preference, and the candidate’s local-international status.

For the corporate training and executive education engagements, fees are typically structured on a per-cohort or per-engagement basis rather than the per-programme tuition model used for the accredited higher education programmes. Corporate clients commission training programmes through the d.school Malaysia operation with bespoke pricing.

Accreditation and Regulatory Status

Genovasi University College operates under Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education registration corresponding to its university college status, granted in 2017 under the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996. The institution is listed on the Malaysian Qualifications Agency public register, with individual programmes carrying their own MQA accreditation references.

The international partnership with the HPI D-School and the broader Global Design Thinking Institute network operates outside the formal Malaysian accreditation framework, providing methodology alignment and academic exchange rather than joint-degree status. Programmes delivered through Genovasi are accredited and conferred under the Malaysian framework, while the methodology content draws from the global Design Thinking academic community.

Admissions to Genovasi University College

Genovasi University College operates rolling admissions across most programmes, with intake start dates aligned to the Malaysian academic calendar.

Entry to Foundation and Diploma programmes requires SPM, O-Level, or equivalent secondary school qualifications with the relevant subject passes. Entry to Bachelor’s degree programmes requires STPM, A-Level, an accepted Foundation programme, a Diploma in a relevant field, or equivalent pre-university qualifications. Entry to postgraduate programmes requires a recognised Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

The Open Distance Learning programmes operate with the same academic entry requirements as the conventional programmes, with the additional consideration of the candidate’s capacity for self-directed online study.

International applicants should plan for the Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) student visa pass for the campus-based programmes, while the ODL programmes do not require a Malaysian student visa given the remote delivery.

Application contact: refer to the Genovasi admissions portal at genovasi.edu.my for the current application requirements, intake timelines, and admissions office contact details.

Genovasi University College in the Malaysian Innovation Ecosystem

Genovasi sits within the broader Malaysian innovation ecosystem alongside the public sector innovation programmes (the Malaysian Innovation Agency, the Cradle Fund startup acceleration programme, the broader MOSTI-led innovation policy framework), the established public university research and innovation operations, and the private sector innovation programmes at major Malaysian corporates.

The institution’s distinctive positioning as the Design Thinking-dedicated higher education institution places it at the intersection of education, corporate innovation, and government innovation programmes. The faculty model, partnership network, and programme portfolio together support a different graduate trajectory than the broader Malaysian private university stack: Genovasi graduates typically move into innovation-related roles in corporate innovation labs, design consultancies, government innovation programmes, and entrepreneurial venture creation, rather than into the standard corporate management trajectories served by the established business schools.

Contacting Genovasi University College

Genovasi University College can be contacted through the following channels:

  • Address: Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia (specific campus address available via the institutional website)
  • Website: genovasi.edu.my
  • D.school operation: dschool.com.my
  • Founded: Genovasi Malaysia 1 August 2012; University college status established by Government of Malaysia 2017
  • International Partner: Hasso-Plattner-Institut School of Design Thinking, Potsdam University, Germany (regional partner); University of Cape Town d-school, South Africa
  • Specialism: Design Thinking, Innovation, Industry 4.0 readiness

For programme details, current fee schedules, intake timelines, and application requirements, the authoritative reference is the institution’s own published materials at genovasi.edu.my and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency public register at mqa.gov.my under the Genovasi University College entry.

Questions about Genovasi University College

What is Design Thinking and why does Genovasi University College specialise in it?

Design Thinking is a problem-solving methodology that combines empathy with end users, ideation, prototyping, and iterative testing to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. The methodology originated at IDEO in the late 1980s and was systematised through the Stanford d.school in 2005 and the Hasso-Plattner-Institut School of Design Thinking in Potsdam, Germany in 2007. Genovasi specialises in Design Thinking because the methodology has been adopted globally as a core innovation discipline by major corporates, government innovation programmes, and design-led education systems, and Malaysia identified the methodology as central to its Industry 4.0 readiness strategy. The institution's design thinking-dedicated positioning makes it unique within the Malaysian higher education market.

What is the relationship between Genovasi and the Hasso-Plattner-Institut at Potsdam University?

Genovasi Malaysia was established through close affiliation with the Founder of the Hasso-Plattner-Institut (HPI) in Potsdam, Germany, and the Global Design Thinking Institute network. Genovasi operates as the Malaysian regional partner of the HPI School of Design Thinking (HPI D-School), the European hub of the global Design Thinking academic network. The partnership gives Genovasi students and Genovasi-trained design thinkers access to the HPI methodology, training materials, and the broader HPI alumni network. The HPI D-School is the German counterpart to the Stanford d.school in California, and the two institutions together represent the principal academic homes of the Design Thinking methodology globally.

Where is Genovasi University College located?

Genovasi University College is located in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, within the broader Klang Valley education and corporate cluster. The Petaling Jaya location places the institution within commuting distance of central Kuala Lumpur, the Cyberjaya digital corridor to the south, and the broader Selangor industrial and commercial cluster. Public transport access uses the Petaling Jaya MRT and LRT stations, with multiple rapid transit options serving the broader PJ commercial district. The location is relevant to the design thinking practitioner market, given the concentration of corporate headquarters, government agencies, and innovation hubs across the Klang Valley.

What programmes does Genovasi University College offer?

Genovasi University College offers programmes built around the Design Thinking methodology and innovation-led learning, with content positioned for Industry 4.0 readiness. Programme content typically integrates Design Thinking principles into business, IT, and applied disciplines, with entrepreneurship and innovation modules as standard curriculum components. The institution operates a dual-mode delivery framework combining conventional campus-based teaching and Open Distance Learning, with online platforms making programme content accessible to a broader student audience beyond the Petaling Jaya campus. Specific programme listings, intake start dates, and delivery formats are published on the institutional website at genovasi.edu.my and on the Malaysian Qualifications Agency public register.

Who attends Genovasi University College's design thinking programmes?

Genovasi serves three distinct student communities. The first is the formal university college student cohort enrolled in accredited Diploma, Bachelor, and postgraduate programmes that integrate Design Thinking with business and applied disciplines. The second is the corporate training delegate cohort that attends Genovasi d.school Malaysia training programmes commissioned by Malaysian government ministries, public sector agencies, and corporate clients across telecommunications, media, financial services, consumer goods, and other industries. The third is the broader design thinking practitioner community in Malaysia, who engage with Genovasi through workshops, certification programmes, and the broader d.school events ecosystem. The institutional model combines accredited higher education with corporate executive education and the broader practitioner community.

How does Genovasi compare with traditional design schools and business schools?

Genovasi sits in a distinct position relative to both traditional design schools and traditional business schools. Traditional design schools (such as the established Malaysian creative arts institutions covering interior design, graphic design, fashion design, and the broader applied arts) train students for roles in product design, visual communication, and the creative arts industries. Traditional business schools (such as Malaysian private universities offering MBA and business administration programmes) train students for management roles in finance, marketing, operations, and the broader corporate functions. Genovasi's positioning is the cross-disciplinary innovation methodology institute that applies Design Thinking to business problems, government programmes, and corporate innovation challenges, rather than to product or visual design specifically. The methodology focus differentiates Genovasi from both the design and business school traditions.

Is Genovasi University College recognised by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education?

Yes. Genovasi University College was established as an accredited university college by the Government of Malaysia in 2017, following the founding of Genovasi Malaysia as a national innovation initiative in August 2012. The institution operates under Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education registration corresponding to its university college status under the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996, and is listed on the Malaysian Qualifications Agency public register. Programme-level accreditation is granted on a per-programme basis through the standard MQA evaluation process. Prospective students can verify the live institutional and programme accreditation status on the MQA register at mqa.gov.my under the Genovasi University College entry.

Can students pursue Open Distance Learning at Genovasi?

Yes. Genovasi University College operates a dual-mode delivery framework that includes Open Distance Learning (ODL) alongside the conventional campus-based teaching. The ODL framework makes Genovasi programmes accessible to students who cannot attend the Petaling Jaya campus full-time, including working professionals seeking design thinking skills development, students based outside the Klang Valley, and international students engaging with the institution remotely. The ODL programmes are accredited under the Malaysian Qualifications Agency Open Distance Learning framework. Specific ODL programme availability and delivery formats should be confirmed with the Genovasi admissions office at the time of enrolment.

Genovasi University College is one of 139 private universities and university colleges in Malaysia registered with the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). For other options in Selangor, see private universities in Selangor. The national directory covers foreign branch campuses, sixth-form colleges, and university colleges across 14 states.

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