Upsi, Unisza Join Forces With University Of London To Promote Malay Language In Europe

IPOH, May 9 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) through Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London to promote the Malay language in Europe.

MOHE secretary-general Datuk Seri Abdul Razak Jaafar said the MoU was signed in response to the call made by the Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin who wanted to make Malaysia an internationalisation centre for higher education and a hub for talent development which will expand the knowledge of the Malay world to the world stage.

"The MoU focuses on the implementation of educational programmes through industrial training and student teaching training between the two institutions, services and collaboration in research, as well as the exchange of expertise for the purpose of development and expansion of knowledge in the field of the lingua franca," he said in a statement today.

Earlier today, he signed the MoU at the University of London, which was also attended by UPSI vice-chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr Md Amin Md Taff.

Abdul Razak said as a century-old premier educational institution, UPSI strives towards dignifying the Malay language and making the university an educational reference in the region in line with its desire to uphold educational excellence.

He said UPSI has become the centre for the development of Malay independence fighters and scholars among the people dating back from the pre-independence era.

"Inspired by the spirit forged during its days as the Sultan Idris Training College which was established in 1922, UPSI now holds various treasures to expand to the European continent through studies and research in the faculties, language centres and the Institute of Malay Civilisation that have been established in the Muallim district," he said.

Meanwhile, UnisZA vice-chancellor, Professor Dr Fadzli Adam who was also present during the signing said the cooperation was not only limited to manuscript digitisation projects but also collaborations in other fields.

  -- BERNAMA