MALAYSIAN DPM ON FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO LONDON

From Amer Hamzah Md Sap

LONDON, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- Muhyiddin Yassin will make an official visit
to the United Kingdom, his first as the Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister, the
Education Ministry said in a statement.

It said that the visit, from Jan 9-14, was at the invitation of Secretary of
State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls, and Secretary of State for
Business, Innovation and Skills Lord Peter Mandelson.

Both leaders invited Muhyiddin, who is the Malaysian Education Minister, to
participate and deliver a keynote address at the Learning and Technology World
Forum, here.

The forum, from Jan 11-13, will take place at the Queen Elizabeth II
Conference
Centre and is expected to be attended by 50 education ministers as well as
educators from 70 countries.

During the forum, world education leaders will, among others, deliberate how
technology can be utilised to improve the quality of education as well as the
access to it.

Discussions will centre on the main theme, namely "Re-imagining
Education", the statement said.

During the visit, Muhyiddin would explore opportunities to enhance
cooperation
in the field of education between both countries, including in terms of training
for Malaysian teachers and education officers.

Muhyiddin would also study education transformation and innovation among
United
Kingdom's education institutes, and visit a community and specialist school
here, the Sunbury Manor School, which had successfully developed a virtual
learning environment, it said.

The statement said Muhyiddin's visit was also aimed at seeking continuous
improvement of Malaysia's education system, strengthening education leadership
and expanding the use of latest technologies to enhance education quality.

Muhyiddin is also expected to meet Malaysian community and students in
London
and brief them on the latest issues back home.

Muhyiddin's programmes here also include attending a meeting between the
Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) and potential investors here.

He will also visit the Malaysian Auditorium at the Oxford Centre of Islamic
Studies where he is scheduled to deliver a ceramah on "Islam and Critical Issues
in Multi-Religious Malaysia".

The statement said the visit would enhance the existing cooperation in the
field of education and more importantly, enhance the already cordial relations
between both countries.

-- BERNAMA