Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino and his delegation, Education Secretary Sonny Angara seeks to strengthen educational ties between Malaysia and the Philippines and explore opportunities for Filipino students on scholarships.
In a meeting, discussions focused on advancing bilateral initiatives, including improvements to the Philippines’ Madrasah Education Program, workforce development through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and the establishment of scholarship programs for Filipino students in Malaysia.
The Malaysian scholarship program proposed would improve opportunities for Filipino students through equitable access to higher education and enhance regional cooperation and social-economic growth.
On the other hand, he articulated that Malaysia’s successes in Islamic education could contribute critically to the improvement of the Philippines’ Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) program for students attending public and private Madaris schools in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Discussions will also tackle proposals for cooperation on workforce development initiatives. The initiatives are consistent with commitments that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Ahmad Zahid Bin Hamidi pursued during talks in October 2024. A bilateral determination was made towards planning TVET arrangements that would adequately equip Filipino graduates for work with job opportunities abroad.
The revived partnership between the Philippine and the Malaysian political hierarchies must recognize the importance of international collaboration in volunteer management, professional development, and employment opportunities for both Filipino students and workers.
