Malaysia and China engaged in discussions on a range of strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing and broadening cooperation within the higher education sector, coinciding with the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations. The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) announced that these discussions took place between China’s Education Minister Huai Jinpeng and Malaysia's Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir in Putrajaya.
“The counterparts exchanged views on their countries’ higher education landscape and direction as well as potential strategic cooperation, particularly in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) field, in aspects such as socio-cultural and industrial collaboration for Malaysian students involving companies led by Chinese firms including Huawei and Geely”, read the statement.
The conversation also addressed collaboration in cutting-edge technology fields, including artificial intelligence, computing, green technology, microchips, and automotive industries, among others. As per the statement, both ministers concurred that boosting cooperation in these research domains could be achieved through the establishment of a national-level research center jointly operated by both nations.
They also promoted strategic collaboration between higher education institutions in Malaysia and China across various science and technology development programs, encompassing resource sharing, technical data exchange, facility utilization, research training, and dialogues on civilizations.
Additionally, the statement mentioned that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Chinese Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) during the meeting.
CSCSE and MQA will collaborate to facilitate the exchange of information and expertise regarding national qualification frameworks and accreditation procedures. Their partnership aims to foster international cooperation in acknowledging qualifications and skills attained through higher education.
“The collaboration will further strengthen academic mobility programmes, sharing of research findings and best practices in quality assurance of the Kuala Lumpur-Beijing higher education sector,” it added.
