KUALA LUMPUR – Global testing specialist Pearson VUE is expanding its presence in Southeast Asia’s professional certification market. The company announced the opening of a Pearson Professional Center (PPC) at the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s business district.

The launch of the PPC supports Malaysia’s bid to become “more digitally enabled and technologically advanced” and aims to increase Malaysians’ access to “high-stakes international certifications,” Pearson said.

Protecting the integrity of assessments

Pearson VUE conducts nearly 21 million certification and licensure exams annually worldwide. The company’s global presence is attributed to its collaborations with different industry partners.

In Malaysia, the firm has partnered with the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB), whose goal is to develop a banking and financial services workforce trained to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving finance industry.

“AICB advocates the highest levels of professional conduct and competence in our members,” said AICB Chief Executive Edward Ling.

The institute said having state-of-art facilities like the PPC can help to protect the integrity of professional assessments and certifications.

Organisations are looking for assessment methods that thoroughly gauge candidates’ capabilities and “safeguard the credibility of their certification or license,’’ said Dr Edward Feng Li, principal psychometrician at Pearson VUE.

The testing specialist plans to work with institutions across Malaysia to optimise their candidate screening process.

The ‘gold standard’ in professional testing

“With the digital economy one of the fastest growing sectors in Malaysia and the country’s well-deserved reputation for innovation, many industry sectors are undergoing fast professionalisation,’’ said Craig McFarlane, Vice President, Australia and Southeast Asia, Pearson VUE.

“We’re committed to providing local certification bodies with highly secure, ‘gold-standard’ testing, instilling trust within the professions Malaysians rely on each and every day.’’

PPCs are designed to ensure the integrity and security of testing environments. These centres employ a comprehensive security protocol that includes advanced ID verification technologies such as palm vein recognition, along with signature pads, extensive camera surveillance, and vigilant proctoring to maintain direct oversight.

The specialised facilities also provide secured lockers for test-takers to store personal items, minimising the risk of misconduct.

Pearson VUE said the multi-faceted approach to exam security underscores its commitment to delivering reliable and credible testing services, essential for upholding the validity of certifications and licenses.