The Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), through its agency Education Malaysia Global Services, recently concluded Education Week which took place December 13-18, 2021 at the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Under the theme “Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)”, Education Week strongly highlighted the importance of leveraging emerging technologies in education by optimizing the digital learning ecosystem, strengthening both Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through digital learning and cross-sector collaboration to foster greater innovation.

This reflects Malaysia’s support for the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with MoHE’s aspiration to achieve the fourth SDG on quality education.

Malaysian Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad delivered a special speech online at the launch ceremony held at the Malaysian Pavilion. In her speech, the minister said that in order for Malaysian higher education institutions to continue their excellent performance, new partnerships must be established between universities, industry, as well as all other potential collaborators. The event was then launched by the Director General of Higher Education, Dato ‘Prof. Dr. Husaini Omar.

The ministry also announced that a new “Educational Tourism” program, also known as EduTourism, will soon be launched to promote Malaysia as a premier destination for tourism and education.

Malaysia Education Week attracted the participation of 8 government agencies under MoHE and the Ministry of Education, 11 public universities, 7 private higher education institutions and 8 franchise companies specializing in education from early childhood, from primary to higher.

Key programs that took place throughout the week include; a forum on digital education of the future; early childhood education and online platform learning; 40 pocket-sized lectures that covered topics such as environment and sustainability, technical and vocational training, Islamic education and technology, early childhood education, education through tourism and mobility programs ; product launch; over 100 business matchmaking meetings; signing of memoranda of understanding between Malaysian institutions and international collaborators; and the International Conference on International Student Mobility in Asia.

Education Week is one of 26 thematic weekly trade and business programs hosted by the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. The programs are led and supported by 21 ministries, 70 departments and agencies, and 5 state governments, with industry players coming as weekly trade commissioners.

Malaysia’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai is led by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation with the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation as the implementing agency.

The self-built 1234.05 m² Malaysian pavilion is the first net zero carbon pavilion at the EXPO. The pavilion features a rainforest canopy inspired by Malaysia’s majestic tropical rainforest, blending cultural elements with nature and functionality in a futuristic building.

The pavilion bears the theme “Energizing Sustainability” to represent the nation’s commitment and approach to sustainable development. It is segmented into four sub-themes; “Energizing Today”, “Energizing Tomorrow”, “Energizing Harmony” and “Energizing Business”. Malaysia’s activities during the EXPO will include permanent 3D exhibits, daily cultural shows, craft demonstrations, cafe activities as well as 26 weekly themed trade and business programs.

The business weeks will involve a large contingent of 21 ministries, 69 agencies and five state governments initiating and supporting the programs. They will also bring weekly industry trade delegations to participate in pocket discussions, product launches, business matchmaking sessions and signing of memoranda of understanding. The Malaysian pavilion will also host and participate in summits and forums throughout the Expo.

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation is the ministry responsible for Malaysia’s participation in the mega event. The Malaysian Center for Green Technology and Climate Change (MGTC) is the executing agency.

Sharjah-Malaysia Affairs: The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) underscored its concern to intensify efforts to deepen Sharjah’s ties with Southeast Asian countries, by finding common mechanisms for improve trade, investments and exports between the emirate and Malaysia, in order to increase the shares of Emirati products in Malaysian markets, which are a gateway to Southeast Asian markets.

This happened during the Sharjah-Malaysia business forum recently organized by CSIC at its premises on the sidelines of a visit by a business delegation from the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). The forum was attended by Abdulaziz Shattaf, Deputy Director General for Communication and Business Sector, and Sharimaton Mat Salih, Executive Vice President of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).

Abdulaziz Shattaf said that CSIC is keen to develop economic cooperation relations between the business communities on both sides and encourage them to establish constructive and fruitful long-term partnerships.

He stressed that the SCCI strives to strengthen joint efforts in terms of trade promotion of available investment areas, taking advantage of the existing friendly relations between the two countries.

Shattaf also added that SCCI wishes to develop bilateral relations and push them towards more advanced and prosperous prospects, highlighting the cooperation agreement signed between SCCI and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation in 1994.

Salih praised the substantial role of CSIC in consolidating economic and trade relations between the UAE and Malaysia, stressing the willingness of the Malaysian business community to develop prospects of cooperation with their counterparts in Sharjah, to provide all the means of support and facilities for Emirati businessmen wishing to invest in Malaysia, and coordinate the exchange of visits between the business communities and present them with promising business and investment opportunities.

The forum featured bilateral business meetings between businessmen from both sides, which focused on discussing partnerships, mutual cooperation and coordination, and available investment opportunities.

At the same time, the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) recently organized the Sharjah-Sao Paulo Business Forum, during the visit of a high-level delegation from the Republic of Brazil led by Joao Agripino da Costa Doria Junior, governor of the southeastern state of Brazil São Paulo.

The forum highlighted joint investment opportunities, encouraged cooperation and partnerships in various economic sectors, and enabled more than 100 businessmen from the two countries to meet and discuss opportunities for cooperation and development. investment available. The forum was attended by Abdulla Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SCCI; Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Trade and Tourism Development Authority; Issa Hilal Al Hezami, Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council; Osmar Chohfi, President of the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC); Fernando Igreja, Ambassador of Brazil to the United Arab Emirates, and Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director General of CSIC.

Economic cooperation: Abdullah Mohamed Al Mazrouei, President of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, received Mohammad Tarid bin Sufian, Malaysian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, at the Chamber Tower in Abu Dhabi to discuss prospects for expanding economic cooperation between business communities in the two countries. The Malaysian Ambassador underlined his country’s eagerness to strengthen economic relations with Abu Dhabi and to increase visits between entrepreneurs from the two countries.

He added that Dubai Expo 2020 acts as a direct economic platform that serves the public interest.

During the meeting, which was attended by Mohamed Helal Al Mheiri, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, Al Mazrouei highlighted the efforts of the Chamber to increase economic cooperation between companies in Abu Dhabi and Malaysia, adding that the UAE in general, and Abu Dhabi in particular, continues to strengthen its relations with countries in Southeast Asia.

Al Mazrouei stressed the importance of sharing ideas to increase the share of domestic products in Malaysian markets, which serve as a window for Southeast Asian countries. He added that Abu Dhabi is open to foreign companies, due to its position as one of the most attractive economies for foreign direct investment regionally and internationally, supported by its enabling legislation and investment incentives. .

Al Mazrouei also stressed the need to redouble efforts to provide Malaysian investors with more facilities and activate communication channels between UAE companies and investors and their Malaysian counterparts.