The Department of Education (DepEd) has further bolstered its partnership with the Malaysian government to enhance education opportunities and explore scholarships for Filipino learners. Education Secretary Sonny Angara met with Malaysian Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino and his delegation on Tuesday to discuss initiatives aimed at benefiting Filipino students and the broader ASEAN community.
Angara expressed that Malaysia has long been a valued partner in education, and this collaboration aims to empower learners and communities in the Philippines. The proposed scholarship programs, he noted, are pivotal in expanding access to higher education and promoting regional cooperation, economic growth, and sustainable peace.
Discussions for the advancement of bilateral initiatives have also been in the agenda. These include, among others, the improvement of the Philippines' Madrasah Education Program and the Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) program in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Both countries exchanged ideas on workforce development through their respective Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs, which is expected to strengthen the employability of Filipino graduates internationally.
This effort aligns with commitments made by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Ahmad Zahid Bin Hamidi in October 2024 to strengthen TVET programs. Additionally, Angara highlighted plans to revisit the 2014 Memorandum of Understanding on Education Cooperation, renewed in 2019, to address emerging priorities and focus on industry-driven initiatives like the development of the halal sector.
“We will explore new opportunities that will benefit not only our learners but also the broader ASEAN community”, Angara stated, reinforcing the significance of this continued collaboration between the two nations.
