Yes. In addition to international academic supervision, the programme may provide a local research support system to assist with online learning technical support, basic academic discussions, and document formatting according to programme standards.
Progression from DRAS to the DBA at GlobalNxt University
From Senior Management to Knowledge Transfer
PROGRESSION FROM DOCTORAL ADVANCED STUDIES TO the Doctor of Business Administration at GlobalNxt University
Doctoral Advanced Studies (DRAS), aligned with the UK qualifications framework, represents a high level of leadership capability. However, after reaching the C-Level stage with a DRAS qualification, many managers wish to go further by engaging in research, teaching, and academic contribution.
The SwissUK® progression programme from DRAS to the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is designed for this transition. Learners do not need to restart from the beginning, but may proceed directly to the research stage and may complete the DBA within approximately 1 year, subject to academic progress and programme requirements.
The DBA is delivered within the Malaysian higher education system and accredited under the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) framework. Doctoral students may also be registered through the ODL student administration process managed via Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), subject to applicable regulations and approval requirements.
Swiss Made. UK Government Recognised.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Business Administration from GlobalNxt University
Promotion
Delivery
Awarding
- GlobalNxt University
No Need to Restart from the Beginning
Learning outcomes and competencies achieved through DRAS may be considered for progression, allowing eligible learners to enter the DBA research stage, subject to academic approval and GlobalNxt University requirements.
Complete in Just 1 Year
A streamlined research progression structure designed for busy senior managers, helping reduce the overall study duration where prior learning, credit recognition, or advanced standing is approved.
Transition from Practice to Academia
Transform senior management experience into structured research, evidence-based analysis, and practical knowledge contribution through the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).
Nationally Accredited DBA Qualification
The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is delivered within the Malaysian higher education system and accredited under the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) framework.
ODL Student Registration through EMGS
Eligible doctoral students may be registered through the ODL student administration process managed via Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), subject to applicable regulations and approval requirements.
Expanded Professional and Academic Scope
The programme offers scholarships and tuition fee support, helping learners reduce tuition fees, minimize additional expenses, and receive dedicated assistance throughout their learning journey.
PROGRESSION PATHWAY
- From Doctoral Advanced Studies (DRAS) to the Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) awarded by GlobalNxt University.
ODL Student Approval – Official Confirmation of Online Study
Learners enrolled in the ODL programme at the GlobalNxt University research stage may be registered within the Malaysian higher education system through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), subject to applicable requirements and approval procedures.
This is not only an administrative procedure, but also an official confirmation that the learner’s online study arrangement is processed through the relevant Malaysian higher education channels. It helps support transparency, regulatory compliance, and confidence in the academic and administrative framework of the programme.
In Stage 2, learners enter the research phase of the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme at GlobalNxt University. During this stage, doctoral students are guided by experienced faculty members with strong expertise in their fields, enabling them to apply modern research concepts and methodologies to address real-world challenges within their organisations or businesses.
During this process, doctoral students will be guided to complete:
- Research Proposal
- Research Dissertation
In addition to the academic supervision provided by GlobalNxt University, the programme also provides an additional local research support system to facilitate the research process. This support may include technical assistance for research and online learning, general academic support, assistance in understanding the requirements of research proposals and dissertations, guidance on formatting and presenting documents according to the programme’s academic standards, support for research methodology and dissertation structure, and assistance in reviewing elements related to academic integrity before submission.
This support system is designed to help doctoral students maintain research progress, reduce challenges during the research process, and support timely dissertation progress. Local support activities are limited to technical and general academic assistance only. They do not replace the role of the official academic supervisor, nor do they intervene in programme content or the academic assessment process conducted by GlobalNxt University.
The progression programme from Doctoral Advanced Studies to the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at GlobalNxt University is delivered through the Live Class Direct™ model. Under this model, doctoral students study and work directly with supervisors from GlobalNxt University through a real-time online learning system. This model enables doctoral students to interact directly with international faculty members throughout the process of developing their research topics, preparing research proposals, and completing their dissertations.
The programme follows the principle of direct study with GlobalNxt University, without partnerships, franchising arrangements, or intermediary organisations. As a result, doctoral students gain access to the original programme structure and the university’s official academic standards, helping ensure transparency and consistency throughout the supervision and assessment process.
The Live Class Direct™ model also helps learners reduce third-party risks, minimise issues related to unauthorised local classes, and helps ensure that the learning, supervision, and academic assessment process is conducted directly by GlobalNxt University in accordance with programme regulations.
- Completion of Doctoral Advanced Studies, including a Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice from an Ofqual-regulated awarding body.
- The English language certificate requirement may be waived for applicants entering with SwissUK® Doctoral Advanced Studies, subject to admission requirements and approval.
Accreditation & Recognition
GlobalNxt University is a private university in Malaysia recognised within Malaysia’s higher education and quality assurance system, including the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).
The university is listed in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), managed by the International Association of Universities (IAU). GlobalNxt University qualifications may be submitted to credential evaluation organisations such as World Education Services (WES) and the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS), subject to the policies, documentation requirements, and assessment outcomes of each organisation. Such evaluations may support employment, further study, or immigration-related purposes where applicable; however, final recognition decisions remain subject to the receiving authority, institution, employer, or immigration body.
With faculty members and learners from many countries, GlobalNxt University provides a diverse and international academic environment. The university is associated with international academic networks and organisations, including the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE), and the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU). Any institutional membership should be verified against the relevant organisation’s current membership records before publication.
Guided by the motto “Inspirati a Doctrina”, GlobalNxt University continues to provide flexible and quality learning opportunities with practical relevance in an increasingly connected world.
2001 – Founding as U21Global in Singapore
U21Global was established in Singapore in June 2001 as a joint venture between Universitas 21 and Thomson Learning, later known as Cengage Learning. It represented an early model of global online education.
Universitas 21 is a global network of research-intensive universities, historically including institutions such as the University of Melbourne, the University of Nottingham, the University of Virginia, and the National University of Singapore. This historical background is provided for institutional context only and should not be interpreted as a current award, endorsement, partnership, or academic involvement by any Universitas 21 member university.
2012 – Relocation to Malaysia and Formation of GlobalNxt University
In 2012, U21Global relocated to Malaysia and was re-established as GlobalNxt University in support of Malaysia’s ambition to become a global education hub. Since then, GlobalNxt University has operated as a licensed and recognised Malaysian university headquartered in Kuala Lumpur.
The Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE) has granted GlobalNxt University a university licence (University category) under licence number DU034(W). This confirms that GlobalNxt University is a higher education institution with full university authority within the Malaysian higher education system.
- See more: HERE.
All programmes offered by GlobalNxt University are accredited and recognised by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), ensuring compliance with the national standards under the Malaysian Qualifications Framework for higher education.
- See more: HERE.
GlobalNxt University is officially listed in the World Higher Education Database (WHED) — the global higher education database managed by the International Association of Universities (IAU) under the auspices of UNESCO, confirming the institution’s legitimacy and international recognition.
- See more: HERE
Qualifications awarded by GlobalNxt University are accepted for evaluation by World Education Services (WES), supporting credential recognition for purposes such as further study, immigration, and employment in North America, as well as in many other regions.
Qualifications awarded by GlobalNxt University are accepted for evaluation by the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS), supporting the international mobility of graduates and facilitating academic recognition in many countries.
The International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) is an international credential assessment authority under the Government of Alberta, Canada. IQAS evaluates and compares foreign qualifications with the Canadian education system for purposes such as further study, immigration, and employment.
The fact that qualifications from GlobalNxt University are accepted for evaluation by IQAS means that the university’s qualifications are eligible to be considered within Canada’s international credential assessment process. The final evaluation outcome will depend on the individual application, the programme level, and the regulations in effect at the time of submission.
This contributes to enhancing the international flexibility of graduates, supporting opportunities for further study, employment, or immigration in Canada and other regions that recognise IQAS assessment results.
Frequently Asked Questions
- From Doctoral Advanced Studies (DRAS) to the Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) awarded by GlobalNxt University.
GlobalNxt University is a higher education institution recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. Its programmes are delivered in accordance with the regulations of the Malaysian higher education system.
The programme is delivered under the quality assurance and accreditation system of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), the national quality assurance body responsible for supervising and ensuring the standards of higher education in Malaysia.
ODL Student Approval refers to the process through which eligible international students in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programmes may be registered within the Malaysian higher education system through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), subject to applicable regulations and approval requirements.
Students may receive a Letter of Approval (LOA) issued through EMGS, confirming their admission and official registration within Malaysia’s higher education management system.
- Registration of online study within the national higher education system
- Increased confidence when using the qualification
- Confirmation that the programme follows Malaysian regulatory requirements
- Added value for working in an international environment
No. It is not a traditional entry visa. It is an official study confirmation within Malaysia’s national higher education system for online learning.
Doctoral students do not need to retake the taught modules and may proceed directly to the doctoral research stage of the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme at GlobalNxt University, subject to academic approval and programme requirements. During this stage, doctoral students develop their research proposal and complete the doctoral dissertation under the guidance of academic supervisors from GlobalNxt University.
Doctoral students work directly with academic supervisors from GlobalNxt University. Supervisors provide academic guidance, support the development of the research topic and methodology, and monitor dissertation progress.
No. Doctoral students study and work directly with GlobalNxt University. The programme is not delivered through franchising or intermediaries, ensuring access to the original programme and reducing risks associated with unauthorised local classes.
In the progression programme from Doctoral Advanced Studies (DRAS) to the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), doctoral students must complete two main components:
- Research Proposal
- Research Dissertation
No. Local support partners provide only basic academic and technical support. Teaching, official academic supervision, and dissertation assessment are conducted entirely by GlobalNxt University.
After fulfilling all research requirements and successfully defending the dissertation in accordance with programme regulations, doctoral students may be awarded the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) by GlobalNxt University.
Information regarding the programme, qualification, accreditation, and recognition is referenced from official sources of the Malaysian Government, regulatory bodies, and relevant competent authorities. The information is accurate at the time of publication but may change over time in accordance with the policies and regulations of the relevant authorities without prior notice.
Although recognition, mutual recognition, and equivalency arrangements may be based on clear and transparent frameworks, each country, ministry, sector, or receiving authority may apply its own requirements when assessing and recognising qualifications. Therefore, learners are encouraged to verify information directly with the relevant receiving authority or organisation before using the qualification for any specific purpose.
In accordance with the principles of transparency and jurisdictional compliance, Swiss Information and Management Institute, OTHM, GlobalNxt University, and related parties do not make any commitment or guarantee regarding qualification recognition, equivalency recognition, residency, immigration outcomes, employment outcomes, or professional licensing in any country, ministry, sector, or authority.
The above information is intended to support honest and transparent public communication, in line with international standards and practices in academic communication.