Malaysia And Turkiye Higher Education Partnership Elevated To A Deeper Phase - Zambry

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Bernama) -- The strategic higher education partnership between Malaysia and Türkiye has entered a deeper phase, now focusing on critical future technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said that during the second meeting of the Malaysia-Türkiye Joint Committee, which began today in Penang, both countries have committed to exploring the vast potential in AI, aerospace, green technology and digital transformation.

He explained that the meeting follows the first session held in Istanbul in April last year, which aimed to turn strategic cooperation into concrete results.

"These strong ties have elevated higher education collaboration to a new level through intellectual and technological diplomacy, building on the enduring leadership relationship between Malaysia and Türkiye.

"This round of cooperation will focus on critical future fields, including AI and aerospace, to strengthen research and academic networks between our universities," he said during a media briefing on the second Malaysia–Türkiye Joint Committee meeting and Bumiputera Education Congress, at Menara Dato Onn here today.

Zambry said the Penang meeting, which officially begins tomorrow and runs until Thursday, will bring together top higher education officials from both countries. The Turkish delegation is led by Prof Erol Ozvar, president of the Higher Education Council of Türkiye, along with several vice-chancellors and rectors from universities on both sides.

The event also sees broad participation from local higher education institutions, including 20 public universities, four Government-Linked University Companies, three private universities and premier polytechnics.

Key Malaysian institutions leading the collaboration include Universiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, while Ibn Haldun University and Middle East Technical University represent Türkiye.

The key outcomes expected from the meeting include the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Malaysian Qualifications Agency and the Turkish Higher Education Quality Council, as well as several Letters of Intent between participating universities to strengthen academic and research networks.

In addition to the main meeting, Zambry said several supporting programmes have also been arranged. These include the Malaysia–Türkiye Education Forum, a Higher Education Leadership Academy-USM leadership collaboration programme, and targeted discussions on establishing cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

Zambry noted that the 11th series of the MADANI Malaysian Scholars Forum, titled "Muslim Unity in Times of Geopolitical Crisis," was held last night in Putrajaya. The forum served as a platform for global dialogue between prominent figures from both countries.

Also held this afternoon was the Kuala Lumpur Leadership Summit 2026 at UTM Kuala Lumpur. The event was attended by notable figures, including Necmettin Bilal Erdogan, deputy chairman of the Ibn Haldun University Board of Trustees and son of the Turkish President, as well as former professional footballer Mesut Özil.

In a separate development, Zambry announced the organisation of the Bumiputera Education Congress, scheduled for May 1 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur. 

The congress is expected to bring together around 4,000 participants, including government agencies, students, and non-governmental organisations, to reassess Bumiputera education policies and ensure they remain relevant to future challenges.

Zambry added that a special government-level secretariat will be set up after the congress ends, tasked with ensuring that all adopted resolutions are carried out as part of the official government agenda.

"The resolutions from this congress will be submitted to the government for follow-up action to strengthen Bumiputera education, including in the areas of tahfiz, education waqf, and AI," he said.

-- BERNAMA