MALAYSIAN GOVT TO OFFER LAOTIAN STUDENTS HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

VIENTIENE (LAOS), June 8 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government is trying to
come up with the best initiative to provide Laotian students more opportunities
for higher education in Malaysia.

Malaysian Ambassador to Laos Than Tai Hing said the embassy here was
discussing with the Laos Education Ministry on the best move to achieve this
objective.

He said this was a follow up to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on
higher education signed between that Malaysian and Laotian governments in June.

"I see this (higher education) as having potentials, because not only is
there quality in our higher education but it is also affordable," he told
reporters when met during a visit by the Jejak Warisan Jawi II (JWJ2) expedition
to the Malaysian embassy, here Tuesday.

However, the government had so far decided to accept students from Laos into
institutions of higher learning in Malaysia, but had not reached a conclusion
on whether to send Malaysian teaching staff to Laos.

"We haven't decided on this yet as language poses a problem. The Lao
language is the medium of instruction there, with the exception of international
schools where English is used, the English language is not used at the
university level," he added.

Meanwhile, Than welcomed the JWJ2 expedition to Laos saying the visit was
timely with Visit Laos Year 2012, whereby it will help promote and boost
bilateral tourism.

"This (JWJ2) is a good way to introduce Malaysia's culture and heritage as
well as encourage tourism," he said.

In 2010, he said the tourism sector registered an increase of about 3,000
two-way tourists on direct flights compared with 2009.

The JWJ2 expedition, organised by Majma' Culture, Malay Heritage and the
Putera 1Malaysia Club, is supported by the Information Communication and Culture
Ministry.

Its 35 participants arrived in the Laos capital Tuesday evening and
will continue their journey to Luang Prabang, 300km away.