Monash University Malaysia, established in 1998, is a significant branch of Australia's largest university, Monash University. It is the first foreign university campus in Malaysia and the third largest campus of its parent institution. By 2024, it had more than 9,700 students, and had established a new, purpose-built campus. In early 1996, it was reported that the Australian Prime Minister had been involved in the signing of a memorandum of understanding to establish the campus. On 23 February 1998, the Malaysian Government formally invited Monash to develop a comprehensive campus, making it the first foreign university in Malaysia. In July of that year, Monash University's newly founded Malaysia campus opened its doors to its first intake of 261 students. Since then, the campus has expanded rapidly. It developed postgraduate courses within a few years, and began to expand its research capacity.