PETALING JAYA: Malaysia and Timor-Leste will deepen bilateral ties in various sectors, especially in the field of education, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is on an official visit to Timor-Leste until Friday (Aug 30), said he had productive discussions with the country’s leaders including President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.

“Additionally, I engaged in productive discussions with Vice-Prime Minister I and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Minister of Tourism and Environment Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, and Vice-Prime Minister II and Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing Mariano Assanami Sabino,” he said in a statement on Thursday (Aug 29).

"Accompanied by senior government officials and representatives from the Halal Development Corporation (HDC), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), UniKL and PLANMalaysia, we explored key areas of cooperation, including the state of bilateral relations and education including Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the halal industry, rural development, and town planning,” he added.

He said several milestones were achieved during the visit such as strengthening ties through higher education.

“We have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in higher education through Universiti Teknikal Mara (UniKL) and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Culture of Timor-Leste.

"UniKL will award 50 scholarships to Timor-Leste students, enabling them to study in Malaysia,” he said.

Additionally, UniKL will serve as the key technology provider for the new polytechnics being established in Timor-Leste, focusing on Digital Marketing, Food Technology, and Tourism Management.

UniKL’s Centre for Advancement & Continuing Education (ACE) will also offer hybrid short courses in Leadership, Finance, Management, and Entrepreneurship for government officials, Ahmad Zahid added.

Timor-Leste will also send government-sponsored undergraduate students to UniKL for Chemical Engineering (Process and Food Technology), Tourism, and Business Administration courses.

“We signed a memorandum of understanding between Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) and the Human Capital Development Fund Timor-Leste (FDCH). It will facilitate an increase in Timor-Leste students pursuing higher education in Malaysia and enhance university collaborations,” he said.

FDCH, which funds scholarships for education and human capital development, will also support 31 Timor-Leste students in pursuing graduate and postgraduate studies in Malaysia starting this November, he added.

Aside from that, an MoU was also signed between UMS and the National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL).

“This MoU aims to enhance cooperation between UMS and UNTL by promoting and facilitating academic, research, and training activities.

"This collaboration will benefit both institutions through activities such as staff and student exchanges, research partnerships, joint conferences, publications, and training programmes,” Ahmad Zahid said.

UMS plans to introduce its science and social science foundation programs to Timor-Leste under this MoU, branded as UMS@UNTL.

Additionally, the MoU will position Timor-Leste as an emerging educational hub in the region through the strengthened cooperation between UMS and UNTL, Ahmad Zahid noted.

He said the official visit will not only deepen ties between the countries but also exemplify Malaysia’s unwavering support for Timor-Leste’s aspiration to become a full member of Asean.

He said that the groundwork is being laid for a more integrated partnership by fostering closer collaborations in education, research and various sectors.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/29/education-a-key-focus-to-strengthen-ties-with-timor-leste-says-zahid