Malaysia, Timor-Leste forge stronger ties with new collaborations
A major outcome of the visit was the enhancement of higher education collaboration.
SHAH ALAM - Malaysia has announced a series of key agreements with Timor-Leste, aimed at deepening the partnership between the two nations.
In a bid to strengthen Malaysia-Timor-Leste relations, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi embarked on an official visit to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste from Aug 28 to Aug 30.
In an official statement by the Deputy Prime Minister, the visit held strategic meetings with key Timorese leaders, including President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, as well as Vice-Prime Ministers Francisco Kalbuadi Lay and Mariano Assanami Sabino.
“Accompanied by senior Malaysian officials and representatives from prominent institutions like the Halal Development Corporation (HDC), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Universiti Teknikal MARA (UniKL) and PLANMalaysia, the visit focused on expanding cooperation across several critical areas.
“Discussions covered advancements in higher education, the halal industry, rural development, and urban planning,” Zahid said.
A major outcome of the visit was the enhancement of higher education collaboration. Zahid announced that UniKL will offer 50 scholarships to students from Timor-Leste, allowing them to pursue studies in Malaysia.
“UniKL will also act as a key technology partner for new polytechnics in Timor-Leste, providing expertise in fields such as Digital Marketing, Food Technology and Tourism Management.
“UniKL’s Centre for Advancement and Continuing Education (Ace) will offer hybrid courses in Leadership, Finance, Management and Entrepreneurship tailored for Timorese government officials,” he said.
Timor-Leste will reciprocate by sending government-sponsored students to UniKL for degrees in Chemical Engineering, Tourism and Business Administration through distance learning.
A significant development was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) and Timor-Leste’s Human Capital Development Fund (FDCH).
“This agreement will facilitate an increase in Timor-Leste students pursuing higher education in Malaysia and enhance university collaborations between our two countries,” Zahid said.
The FDCH will support 31 Timor-Leste students in pursuing graduate and postgraduate studies in Malaysia starting Nov this year.
Meanwhile, an MoU was also established between UMS and the National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL). This agreement is set to advance academic and research collaborations through staff and student exchanges, joint conferences and training programmes.
UMS will introduce its science and social science foundation programs to Timor-Leste under the branding UMS@UNTL, reinforcing Timor-Leste’s position as a growing educational hub in the region.
Zahid emphasised the significance of these collaborations and said that this visit highlights Malaysia’s commitment to enhancing partnership between the two countries.
“By strengthening our cooperation in education and other sectors, we are paving the way for mutual growth and development.
“Malaysia is fully supportive of Timor-Leste’s goal to join ASEAN, and we believe our joint efforts will lead to significant achievements,” he said.
