MALAYSIA, SOUTH KOREA SIGN 26 MOUs FOR EXCHANGE PROGRAMME

KUANTAN (Malaysia), June 17 (Bernama) -- Twenty-six Memorandums of
Understanding (MoUs) were sealed between the Homestay Association of Malaysia
and school principals from South Korea under the Village Stay Programme.

Tourism Ministry Deputy Secretary-General Abdul Ghaffar A.Tambi said
the MoUs involved student exchange programmes covering 36 primary and secondary
schools in South Korea where the participants would be placed in 17 villages in
Malaysia.

He said the participants would be introduced to the way of life, cuisine,
arts and cultures of Malaysia's multiracial community, as well as have the
opportunity to improve their proficiency in English.

"This will also promote the country's village stay programme and increase
the number of Korean tourists which now stands at 267,000," he said after
launching the Homestay website and signing the MoUs here.

He said the ministry had allocated RM10 million (US$1=RM3.58) for the
programme.

Meanwhile, Busan Computer Science High School principal, Nong Dong Hyum
said, the programme could foster better ties between the two countries through
cultural exchanges.

He added that it was also a good way for his students to learn and
communicate in English.

-- BERNAMA