Selangor & Kuala Lumpur Alumni Association and Education Division of TECO in Malaysia Call on Selangor State Education Department
The Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia (TECO) and the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Alumni Association of Taiwan Universities & Colleges made an official visit to the Selangor State Education Department—Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Selangor—on the morning of April 15. The delegation was received by the director, Tuan Haji Izmi Bin Haji Ismail, and the assistant director, Wong Chong Way. The parties all share the view that education is the key to the future and they discussed a range of education matters, including possible bilateral cooperation.
Lim Tow Ping, the president of the alumni association praised Taiwan for its excellent academic environment and the cultural richness of its society, making Taiwan one of the best study abroad destinations for young people wanting to learn Mandarin or undertake full degree courses. Affordable tuition fees and an increasing number of university programs that are taught in English have attracted many international students. Taiwan welcomes students from various backgrounds who want to pursue their study dreams there and return to contribute to their local society after they graduate, and Taiwan’s government has established a Muslim-friendly environment. Halal restaurants and prayer rooms are now easy to find in Taiwan’s streets.
The Education Division officials outlined the recent developments in Taiwan’s higher education sector. For example, universities have been strengthening the training of skilled professionals to meet the current and future needs of industry, in conjunction with the Five Plus Two Industry Innovation Plan. The “Five Plus Two” refers to seven innovative industrial areas: the Asia Silicon Valley, smart machinery, green energy technology, medical biotechnology, national defense and aerospace, new agriculture, and circular economy industries.
During the meeting, the assistant director Mr. Wong outlined upcoming activities which the department will be holding and everyone discussed a range of opportunities for further collaboration between Taiwan and Malaysia, particularly in the fields training skilled workers for industry.
Tuan Haji Izmi and his department have been promoting comprehensive education and development, and he welcomed the possibility of collaborations in the future.