Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin visited Vietnam to solidify relations between the two countries in areas of higher education. A memorandum of understanding was signed between Yassin and Malaysia’s Ambassador to Vietnam Datuk Azmil Zabidi. The agreement highlights future teacher exchanges, potential reforms and new educational technologies, bilateral programs and confidence-building strategies for higher education in Malaysia and Vietnam.
Azmil explained to Malaysian press, “there are many Vietnamese students in Malaysia, especially in private institutions of higher learning. However, there are virtually no Malaysian students here, except for a few from the Defense Ministry who are here to learn the language. Last year, we received about 500 visa applications from Vietnamese students. At the moment, there are about 2,800 Vietnamese students in Malaysia.” The memorandum of understanding is aimed to increase the number of Vietnamese students in Malaysia’s private higher learning institutions.
Muhyidden’s three day visit to Vietnam also addressed strategies to boost trade and “provide an opportunity for the business representatives to share their views on enhancing Malaysia-Vietnam economic ties,” and “currently, investment is largely from Malaysia to Vietnam, mostly in property development, oil and gas, and manufacturing,” said Azmil. Defense and security, and manpower and agriculture was also discussed.
Bilateral trade increased from US $6.6 billion in 2010 to over US $9 billion last year. The visit was scheduled during the 40th anniversary of the established diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Vietnam.
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Written by Rachel Pozivenec