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Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts

Tuesday, 29 April 2025

Malaysia and China: More resilient together; surge in Chinese students

 

In accord: Xi and Anwar after witnessing a fruitful Exchange of Agreement session between the two countries at Seri Perdana on April 16. — AP

WHEN Chinese President Xi Jinping returned to Malaysia recently for a state visit after more than a decade, it must have been a nostalgic moment for the leader, as much has changed for him, Malaysia, and China in the past 12 years.

Nostalgia often invokes positive emotions, offering a sense of continuity, meaning, and connection. I believe Xi felt this with Malaysia during his recent visit, and it was evident in his opening remarks at a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“This marks my return to Malaysia after 12 years, during which the nation has achieved remarkable progress in its development. Your Madani Government is steadily becoming a promising reality, and I extend my heartfelt congratulations,” Xi said.

Reflecting on the rich tapestry of historical ties between the two nations, Xi recalled the legendary voyages of Admiral Zheng He to Melaka in the 15th century, and the establishment of modern diplomatic relations over five decades ago in defiance of Cold War tensions at the time.

“Today, our two countries are working in unity to jointly build a community with a shared future. China-Malaysia relations are entering a new golden era,” he said, highlighting the deepening friendship between the two countries.

Building networks

Xi’s visit was relatively subdued this time, reflecting the current complexities China is facing, particularly in light of US tariffs and sanctions.

However, the underlying theme of resilience and strategic diplomacy was apparent.

Invited by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, Xi’s presence from April 15 to 17 highlighted China’s determination to maintain and strengthen international relationships despite mounting external pressures.

The US measures aim to limit China’s technological advancements and limit its influence in key economic sectors. In response, China has chosen to demonstrate its resilience by strengthening ties with strategic partners like Malaysia. The timing of the visit, just days after the US announced new tariffs, seems very much a calculated move to showcase China’s ability to navigate these economic challenges.

By reinforcing partnerships in South-East Asia, China is diversifying its economic alliances and sending a message of defiance in the face of American attempts to isolate it on the global stage.

Xi’s visit highlighted China’s strategy of building robust trade networks outside Western influence, reducing vulnerability to unilateral economic pressures.

China’s resilience is also evident in its pursuit of long-term goals. Despite immediate economic challenges, China continues to invest heavily in initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to create a vast network of trade routes and partnerships across Asia, Africa, and Europe.

For China, these efforts are not just about economic survival but also about asserting sovereignty and strategic autonomy, resisting external attempts to dictate its policies.

‘Fierce independence’

Back home, Malaysia is also demonstrating resilience and strategic foresight by embracing this opportunity to solidify ties with China.

Anwar, long an advocate of Malaysia’s non-aligned policy, reiterated the country’s commitment to maintaining a balanced approach in international relations.

In his official visit to Australia to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last year, Anwar emphasised Malaysia’s “fierce independence” and the country’s intention to choose its own friends, countering any China-phobic sentiment.

This stance reiterates Malaysia’s policy of not taking sides in global power struggles – a wise move for a nation that relies heavily on trade with both China and the United States.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who celebrated the day of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations in Beijing with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other leaders last year, also noted in recent commentary that “Malaysia believes the world cannot be built on harmful competition”.

“Instead, we must forge cooperation based on mutual trust, mutual respect, and mutual unity.

“That is Malaysia’s principle – negotiating, not retaliating; opening doors, not building walls that isolate and diminish global cooperation,” he said, highlighting Malaysia’s firm stance in rejecting retaliation and emphasising mutual trust and respect in international relations.

Initiatives adopted

Xi’s visit resulted in significant outcomes, including the signing of 31 memoranda of understanding covering a wide range of sectors, from infrastructure to digital transformation. One of the highlights included expanding the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” initiative, set to drive high- impact investments and bolster Malaysia’s position in the Industrial Revolution 4.0 era.

Part of the initiatives include developing the Malaysia-China Halal Food Industrial Park on 60ha of land in Perak, leveraging Malaysia’s prestigious international halal certification system and China’s food processing experience and supply chain management. With this, Malaysia’s halal industry will certainly shine further globally.

Also, the establishment of educational institutions like Xiamen University Malaysia and the planned expansion of Universiti Malaya in Shandong, China, are testaments to the deepening educational and cultural ties between the two nations.

These initiatives, along with cooperation in artificial intelligence and the digital economy, mark a step forward in human capital development, crucial for Malaysia’s future economic competitiveness.

Students from the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage welcoming the Chinese President. — BernamaStudents from the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage welcoming the Chinese President. — Bernama

Balancing ties

As Malaysia continues in the role of Asean Chair this year, it’s crucial to strengthen the Asean Plus Three (APT) framework to make the region more resilient against external threats, like recent global tariffs and sanctions.

APT refers to the cooperative framework between the 10 Asean member countries and China, Japan and South Korea. It started in December 1997 and has evolved into a key mechanism for promoting East Asian cooperation, with Asean serving as the driving force.

Improving APT cooperation can boost economic ties, strengthen financial markets, and drive technological progress across the region. By building on initiatives like the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation – a key financial cooperation initiative within the APT – and working together on digital and climate issues, the APT can provide a strong safety net and support sustainable growth.

For Malaysia, leading this effort brings great advantages. Increased trade and investment within the APT can boost Malaysia’s economy and technological growth, creating jobs and supporting development.

As the Asean Chair, Malaysia has a unique chance to influence the regional agenda, increasing its influence while promoting cultural and personal connections. By leading this initiative, Malaysia can strengthen its economic and political position, helping the region thrive despite global challenges.

As Malaysia continues to balance its ties with both China and the US, it proves the strength of diplomacy and the pursuit of shared prosperity in a world often divided by competition and conflict. Xi’s visit not only strengthened the existing partnership but also paved the way for future collaborations that will benefit Malaysia and China, and the wider region.- Sunday Star  By ALLISON LAI


Malaysia sees surge in Chinese students


Photo: ART CHEN/The Star

PETALING JAYA: The number of students from China applying to study in Malaysian universities grew by 25% last year, driven by a shift in global student mobility. Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) said international students, including from China, are shifting away from the world’s ‘Big Four’ study destinations: the UK, US, Australia and Canada.

“More students are exploring dynamic and diverse destinations across Asia. Malaysia is one of the top destinations,” it told The Star.

EMGS, which is under the purview of the Higher Education Ministry, said its data shows that students from China continued to top the list of study applications to Malaysia, at 33,216 in 2024, compared to 26,627 applications in 2023.

Other top applications came from Bangladesh (6,917), Indonesia (5,556), India (2,591) and Pakistan (2,417).

From January to March this, application by students from China continued to grow by 2%, rising to 5,876 from 5,780 in the same period last year.

 

EMGS said Malaysia’s multilingual environment, political stability, safety, as well as rich cultural experiences, are motivating factors for China students to pursue their studies in the country.

 

“Malaysia's geographical proximity to China also makes it easier and more affordable for students to travel back home during holidays and maintain close ties with their families.”

China Daily recently reported that more Chinese families are reconsidering higher education plans in the US due to worsening bilateral relations and growing concerns over safety abroad.

 

Parents, the report said, are considering countries that have a good relationship with China as political stability ensures the safety of their children abroad.

The report also indicated that data from the 2024 Open Doors Report on Inter¬national Educational Exchange showed that China was surpassed by India as the largest source of international students in the United States for the 2023-2024 academic year.

There were 277,398 students from the Chinese mainland enrolled in US higher education institutions during that period, a figure that has been dropping annually since peaking at 372,532 in the 2019-2020 academic year.

EMGS said Malaysia, under the Education Blueprint 2015-2025, is targeting 250,000 international students by 2025 with 39% contributed by China.

“The consistent rise in international student applications, along with a student-friendly visa system, reflects Malaysia’s commitment to transforming into a global classroom and strengthening its global influence and soft power,” said EMGS.

It added that Malaysia offers internationally recognized degrees, often in partnership with prestigious universities from the UK, Australia, and the US, allowing students to earn a reputable degree at a fraction of the cost.

“The qualification from Malaysia is also widely-recognised and highly regarded in China so students are able to find jobs easily after graduation.”

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Resilient China-Malaysia ties withstand test of time, overcome challenges







Thursday, 20 March 2025

Bleeding medical talent

 

PETALING JAYA: There has been an increasing trend of medical graduates leaving for Singapore for housemanship, leading to losses of millions of ringgit in educational investment annually, say experts.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malay­sia Faculty of Medicine dean Prof Datin Dr Marina Mat Baki said from only two graduates who moved to the republic in 2020, the number grew to 15 more graduates in 2021, 25 in 2022 and 30 in 2023.

“This is a significant loss for Malaysia as the tuition fees for medical courses are heavily subsidised by the government,” she said.

She urged the government to expedite allocation of hospital postings for graduates after completing their final examinations to retain them in the country. 

“As long as they pass their final examinations, they should be allowed to apply for and get their placement as soon as possible,” she said.

According to the Singapore Medical Council, only medical students who graduated from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Universiti Malaya are accepted to undergo training in the republic.

Dr Marina noted that it is harder for graduates who did their housemanship in Singapore to return and practise in Malaysia as they need to prove that they have fulfilled the Malaysian Medical Council’s (MMC) requirements.

“If the training was not completed as per MMC’s requirements, they will need to fulfil the postings that haven’t been done in Malaysia before they can be certified and continue as a medical officer here,” she said.

She added that it is easier to come back as a specialist, but the certification must be from qualified bodies approved by MMC.

This would typically take up to 10 years.

She also highlighted the possibility of less opportunities for Malaysian graduates to pursue specialist programmes in Singa­pore.

Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, a health economics and public health specialist at UKM, said the government would have spent an estimated RM500,000 to RM1mil per student for a five-year course.

She said the cost included the study placement comprising capital and assets in training hospitals.

“The government is also paying all lecturers to teach our medical students. This figure is only from one university,” she said, referring to UKM.

“The return on all the investments is lost because once the doctors work abroad, there is no benefit received by the local population.”

Apart from the financial loss, she said, Malaysia is also left with fewer doctors, which could disrupt the ratio of provider-to-population and affect access to medical care.

Hartal Doktor Kontrak spokesperson Dr Muhammad Yassin said the talent outflow would place further strain on Malaysian healthcare workers.

“This will lead to more burnout and overwork, which may in turn lead to more exodus out of the Health Ministry, either to the private sector or overseas.

“The overall effect will be a healthcare system with suboptimal care for the patients as more and more are depending on the public healthcare system due to the increase in insurance price and medical inflation,” he said when contacted.

He said this matter should be addressed by improving the working environment and providing better remuneration for medical officers and specialist doctors.

“Start with increasing on-call allowances. There is also a need to find ways to reduce the workload of healthcare workers in general, not just doctors but also support staff,” he added.

He proposed a private-public partnership or a national insurance scheme that helps offload patients in the government facilities to the private sector without compromising care.

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Thursday, 6 February 2025

Diving into DeepSeek and AI for education; OpenAI targets higher education in the U.S. with ChatGPT rollout at California State University


OpenAI targets higher education in the U.S. with ChatGPT rollout at California State University

FILE PHOTO OpenAI logo is seen in this illustration taken May 20 2024. REUTERSDado RuvicIllustrationFile Photo

FILE PHOTO: OpenAI logo is seen in this illustration taken May 20, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

(Reuters) - Microsoft-backed OpenAI said on Tuesday it will roll out an education-specific version of its chatbot to about 500,000 students and faculty at California State University as it looks to expand its user base in the academic sector and counter competition from rivals like Alphabet .

The rollout will cover 23 campuses of the largest public university system in the United States, enabling students to access personalized tutoring and study guides through the chatbot, while the faculty will be able to use it for administrative tasks.

OpenAI has been looking to integrate ChatGPT into classrooms since 2023, even as initial concerns about its potential use for cheating and plagiarism had prompted some schools to consider bans.

Universities like the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Texas at Austin in the U.S., and the University of Oxford in the UK have already been using ChatGPT Enterprise, prompting OpenAI to launch ChatGPT Edu in May last year.

Rival Alphabet has already been expanding into the education sector, where it has announced a $120 million investment fund for AI education programs and plans to introduce its GenAI chatbot Gemini to teen students' school-issued Google accounts.

In November, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer opened London's first Google-funded AI university, which will provide older teens with access to resources in artificial intelligence and machine learning, as well as mentorship and expertise from Google's AI company, DeepMind.

(Reporting by Rishi Kant in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)

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DeepSeek proves 'small yard, high fence' cannot hinder innovation: Global Times editorial

Using 20th-century geopolitical methods to address the technological revolution of the 21st century will only cause the US to miss valuable development opportunities. Whether it focuses on blockades and encirclements or seeks new ways to stand out from the competition will lead to entirely different outcomes.


Saturday, 25 January 2025

Parents brace for higher kindergarten and daycare rate

 

      746Jalan Sungai DuaPenang , Contact Person: Ms. Ling Ling mobile 012-4059013 

Parents are bracing for the increase in fees for private kindergarten and daycare centres this year, but most generally understand the financial burdens faced by operators.

Private sector employee Nisa Diana Halim, 36, said sending her four-year-old to a private centre is her only option as there are no nearby government kindergartens in her area.

Right now, she has to pay RM750 monthly for kindergarten and daycare services at a centre in Sungai Buloh, Selangor.

She currently pays RM495 per month for kindergarten fees and the rest for daycare services.

The fees have yet to be increased, but she was notified that for the 2025 term, they would be higher, she said.

“I have tried getting more details, but the school has not responded. For now, I will remain with the centre for my second born, as my eldest is already attending school and only stays at a transit centre before school.

“I prefer to send my daughter to a place I am familiar with and will prepare for the fee increase because I want the services from the school, which is close to our house,” said the mother of three.

Housewife Low Chiew Yee, 34, said her five-year-old son attends kindergarten while her three-year-old daughter is in daycare.

The kindergarten fees remain at RM405 per month, but miscellaneous charges have increased slightly.

“The increase in miscellaneous charges is less than RM50, but our monthly expenses have risen by almost RM600. However, the kindergarten offers good services, so I don’t mind,” she said.

Low has three children, with her eldest son in Year 2, costing RM500 per month, while her second son’s co-curricular classes costs RM400 monthly.

Due to rising costs, she had to drop some enrichment classes for her children.

“With only my husband working, I stay at home to take care of the children and manage school runs. We save wherever we can,” she added.

Another parent, Lim Li Wei, 38, said she anticipated the increase in fees since the government announced an increase in the minimum wage last year.

She has received a notice on the potential of fee increases from her daughter’s kindergarten, but no amount was specified.

“My daughter’s kindergarten fees were RM380 per month and now, for a five-year-old, it’s RM400,” she said.

A bank employee, Karlye Fong, 35, said her child’s kindergarten fees increased from RM400 to RM420 per month this year, which is still manageable.

“Our child is at the kindergarten from 8am to noon every day. Fortunately, my parents help with pick-ups, saving us transportation costs,” said the mother of one.

Fong said working in a financial institution means her daughter’s medical expenses are covered by the company under the dependant category.

“My daughter’s clinic fees range from RM100 to RM200 per month. If she is hospitalised, even though the insurance covers the expenses, we still pay RM350 monthly for insurance,” she said in emphasising their commitment to their daughter’s education over the long term.

Soleha Amin said it is necessary for her children to attend kindergarten even if the fees are increased.

“Right now, children are advanced due to social media and technology; parents send their children to preschool to compete. As much as I want to educate them myself, I won’t be able to catch up as I need to work.

“I chose private kindergartens because they offer multilingual classes, and this will help them when they enter primary school. If public kindergartens offer similar options, I would have sent them there, but government centres are always full.

“As a parent, I am willing to work extra hard for my children’s future. I am aware there are subsidies, but unfortunately, I am in the middle-income group. I hope the government can consider expanding aid for those of us who are supporting the private education sector,” she said.

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Tuesday, 3 December 2024

Best of both worlds

 

Holistic learning: The education system should strive for a good blend and balance of both the arts and the sciences. – 123rf.com

Two relatively recent movies, UFO (2020) and Arrival (2018), have got me wondering – if we do encounter aliens, who would become the hero or protagonist?

In UFO, it was a mathematician who deciphered the alien telecommunication signal and uncovered government attempts to keep the public ignorant.

In Arrival, it was a linguist who managed to learn the alien’s language and establish communication.

This got me thinking about the importance of both sciences (as represented by mathematics) and the arts (as represented by linguistics), although the latter is frequently given short shrift in our Malaysian education system.

In our current education system, the emphasis is on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Non-STEM disciplines like social sciences, humanities, languages and fine arts are often perceived as less important, prestigious or “glamorous”.

The nationwide matriculation college system was specifically established to promote STEM disciplines. The naming of our public universities, such as Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, pays tribute to the sciences.

While our education system does make it compulsory for everyone to take Bahasa Melayu and History in secondary school, General Studies for the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, and several General Subjects in colleges or universities, many students take these subjects without much enthusiasm – just to pass them and “get it over with”.

Globally, North American, European and East Asian countries are currently powerhouses in science and technology.

The arts, however, are traditionally held in very high regard in China and Europe, and have arguably set the foundation for their subsequent progress and development.

In ancient China, steeped in Confucianism, government officials are required to excel in the “Six Arts” of etiquette, music, archery, chariot riding, calligraphy and literature, and mathematics.

Similarly, in medieval Europe, the aristocratic class was schooled in horsemanship, fencing, good manners, music, painting, mathematics, languages, literature and history.

In both settings, the emphasis was on a holistic education with art subjects given prominence. Thus, mastery of the arts was the mark of a learned Confucian scholar and an aristocratic European gentleman.

Back to these two movies – they provoke our thoughts and make us reflect on our assumptions. This contrasts with most movies, which tend to numb our brains, requiring us to suspend logic and cast aside our intellect to enjoy them.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Marvel and Star Wars movies for their great entertainment value – provided one does not overthink and assume that aliens generally speak English and are humanoid in appearance.

The storyline of Arrival is particularly captivating for me as it revolves around the real-life Sapir-Whorf hypothesis in anthropology, stunningly transformed from a dry textbook theory into a Hollywood movie.

In a nutshell, this hypothesis states that one’s world view and reality are shaped by one’s language. In other words, an English speaker will view and experience the world in a different light from a Malay, Chinese or Tamil speaker. For dramatic effect, the movie takes this hypothesis to the extreme when the protagonist learns the alien’s language. But of course, we don’t need an alien encounter to reflect on the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. Language is used to communicate and describe both the physical and social worlds, and it undoubtedly influences our thinking and perceptions.

Learners of Chinese are drilled to always “write inside the box” and place great emphasis on conformity. Learners of English are drilled in past, present and perfect tenses, and they generally place a high value on timeliness. Speakers of multiple languages are thus able to access multiple perspectives and world views – a boon for a multiethnic society like Malaysia. The current phenomenon of artificial intelligence and machine learning has introduced an interesting new perspective: what world views, if any, do computer algorithms occupy, and are we able to access them?UFO and Arrival showcase the value of the film industry in engaging the public with academia.

In these movies, academic theories and mathematics are presented to a wide audience and applied in a realistic, albeit fictionalised, manner. In the process, these movies stimulate interest in learning and the pursuit of knowledge, both in the sciences and the arts.It is worth revisiting the earlier issue of the preference for the sciences in our Malaysian education system. Movies are a product of both the sciences and the arts.

The computer-generated imagery, sound engineering and cinematography are undoubtedly science-based. The storyline, music, acting and directing are undoubtedly arts-based.

A good blend and balance of all these elements create a good movie.

Our Malaysian education system should learn from the film industry. There should not be a lopsided focus on the sciences at the expense of the arts; rather, a good blend and balance of both should be what we strive for because only then can great education be produced.

Dr Wong Teik Aun, a principal lecturer at the Centre of Australian Degree Programmes at INTI International College Penang, enjoys writing on subjects close to his heart and has published On the Beaten Track Nepal: The Himalayas, Symphony and Synchrony: An Orchestra of Ideas and Tales of Animal Lovers. He has also contributed numerous academic articles to internationally ranked journals. The views expressed here are the writer’s own.

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