M'SIA SEEK ADDITIONAL SCOPE OF INTEREST AS CHAIR OF MALAY STUDIES

By Ahmad Shukran Shaharudin

WELLINGTON, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government has agreed to
continue as Chair of Malay studies in the University of Victoria, New Zealand
and hope it can cover other aspects apart from just Malay language.

Towards this, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed here today between
Higher Education Ministry of Malaysia, Ministry of Education New Zealand and
Victoria University on the Malay Studies Chair here today.

The Higher Education Secretary-General Dr Zulkefli A Hassan
represented Malaysia and New Zealand Secretary for Education Karen Seawell
signed on behalf of the New Zealand government while Victoria University Vice
Chancellor Prof Pat Walsh signed on behalf of the university.

Zulkefli said the Malaysian government had agreed to renew the Chair of
Malay Studies contract which expired last December due the positive impact
since it's establishment in 1996.

He said the government hoped that the scope of the Chair could be widened by
not only covering the Malay language but also other Malaysian interest as well,
such as economy and politics.

Walsh meanwhile, said the Malay Studies Chair had enhanced relationships
between the university and Malaysia as well as contribute a lot in the
understanding of Islam and the Muslim culture.

"We are looking forward to further enhancing the relationship with Malaysia
in the future," he added.

Walsh said Malaysians studying in Victoria had quadrupled since the last
decade and they had contributed to the cultural diversity for campus life.

Malaysian students had been studying in New Zealand since 1950's when the
Colombo Plan was introduced.

-- BERNAMA