PUTRAJAYA, Aug 11 — The Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange (MACEE) on Thursday signed eleven memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with various Malaysian public and private universities, to further enhance collaboration and foster academic exchange opportunities between Malaysia and the United States (US).
Officiated by the Higher Education Secretary-General Datuk Seri Abdul Razak Jaafar, the signing ceremony marked a significant milestone in forging stronger ties to the prestigious Fulbright Programme and the US higher education system, the US Embassy said in a statement.
The participating universities were Universiti Malaya, University Malaysia of Sarawak, University of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Universiti Teknologi Petronas, University Malaysia Pahang, University of Kuala Lumpur, Multimedia University, UCSI University, Nilai University, INTI International University and Southern University College.
"The signing represents a concerted effort to formalise the relationship between Malaysia and the Fulbright Programme, building on a history of educational and cultural exchanges between the two nations," it said.
MACEE's Executive Director Curtis Johnson stated that as MACEE celebrated its 60th anniversary, the signing of the first tranche of memorandums of understanding was a sign that Malaysian universities were investing in growing global connectivity, particularly with the United States.
"I hope that through these collaborations, we will empower the next generation of Malaysian and American students and scholars to continue to embrace ‘Educational Diplomacy’ and continue to foster greater understanding between our nations through academic excellence," he added.
The MOUs aimed to advance knowledge and promote cultural understanding between the two countries by fostering academic exchange, research collaborations and joint programmes.
Meanwhile, Abdul Razak said this partnership will serve as a bridge between Malaysia and the US, further cementing the Fulbright Programme as one of the premier exchange programmes in Malaysia through its 60 years of research collaboration, student/scholar mobility, and cultural exchange.
"By breaking down barriers and opening doors of opportunity, we aim to empower our young minds with the tools they need to shape a brighter tomorrow."
Established in 1963 to promote educational and cultural exchanges between Malaysia and the US, MACEE has played a crucial role in facilitating over 1,000 Malaysian and 2,000 American Fulbright grants, contributing to developing future leaders and scholars.
— Bernama
