Macee's 60th Anniversary Gala Celebrates Malaysia-us Educational Diplomacy

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- The United States (US) has hoped to foster a more robust higher education partnership with Malaysia in the coming years, notably through the presitigous Fulbright Programme, US Embassy in Malaysia Chargé d'Affaires Manu Bhalla said.

He noted that academic exchanges have played an important role in deepening ties between the US and Malaysia.

Manu said this at the Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange (MACEE)’s 60th anniversary gala celebration to commemorate the strong partnership in education between both countries, held here, Saturday night. 

MACEE was founded on Jan 28, 1963 through an agreement signed by both Malaysian and the United States governments to promote educational and cultural exchanges between the two countries, particularly through the Fulbright Programme. 

Meanwhile, Director General of Malaysian Higher Education Ministry Prof Dr Azlinda Azman said the Fulbright Programme, managed by MACEE, has the potential to serve as a driving force behind Malaysia's ambitions in the realm of digital education within higher learning.

It can also play a pivotal role in steering collaborative research endeavours toward technology and innovation.

“By actively adopting these approaches, MACEE stands to make substantial contributions to Malaysia's overarching goals of expanding educational accessibility, enhancing educational quality, and equipping its workforce for the digital era.

“In doing so, it will further bolster international partnerships and collaborations within the higher education landscape," she said at the dinner. 

Thirteen Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) that emphasise on future collaborative initiatives were also signed at the event. 

According to MACEE’s website, since its inception, more than 1,000 Malaysian have been sent to the US under the Fulbright Programme. Additionally, more than 2,000 US grantees have participated in the programme in Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA