Malaysia, Egypt To Broaden Education Cooperation Beyond Islamic Studies -- PM Anwar
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Egypt are looking to broaden educational cooperation beyond Islamic studies to include engineering, medicine, electrical and electronics (E&E), digital technology, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said both countries should expand educational collaboration to cover a wider range of disciplines, in line with the growing demand for expertise in technical and professional fields.
He said Al-Azhar University remained an important institution for Islamic education, particularly in promoting the moderate approach of Wasatiyyah, but educational cooperation should also encompass other areas of study.
“Education should cover other fields of study,” he said at a joint press conference with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi here Saturday.
Anwar said many Malaysian doctors had received their training in Egypt, reflecting the longstanding educational links between the two countries.
He also acknowledged Egypt’s contribution to Islamic affairs cooperation, including support for the establishment of an Arabic centre in Malaysia following Sheikh Al-Azhar Ahmed El-Tayeb visit.
Malaysia he said, would continue working with Egypt through the relevant agencies and ministries to strengthen cooperation in Islamic affairs.
The Prime Minister also called for closer defence cooperation, including collaboration on defence requirements and joint training, despite the geographical distance between the two countries.
Earlier, Anwar and his counterpart held a four-eyed meeting at Seri Perdana Complex here Saturday, marking a significant step towards elevating Malaysia-Egypt relations to a Strategic Partnership after more than six decades of diplomatic ties.
The meeting, held in conjunction with El-Sisi’s two-day State Visit to Malaysia, provided an opportunity for both leaders to review bilateral cooperation, explore new areas of collaboration and exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.
The Egyptian President, who is undertaking his first State Visit to Malaysia since assuming office in June 2014, arrived at the complex at 12.58 pm for a series of official engagements aimed at strengthening political, economic and diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Last year, Egypt was Malaysia’s seventh-largest trading partner in Africa, with total bilateral trade valued at RM3.08 billion (US$0.72 billion).
Malaysia’s exports to Egypt amounted to RM2.55 billion (US$0.60 billion), while imports totalled RM530 million (US$0.12 billion).
From January to August 2026, bilateral trade surged 74.7 per cent to RM3.49 billion (US$0.87 billion).
-- BERNAMA
