Former Malaysian Minister of Education, Dr. Maszlee bin Malik, along with his spouse, embarked on an official visit to Thailand as guests of the National Security Council (NSC), with the aim of bolstering bilateral relations and exploring collaborative opportunities in education and addressing challenges in the southern border provinces.
During his visit from May 21st to May 24th, Dr. Maszlee participated in various significant activities, with a focus on promoting peace, facilitating development, and enhancing educational prospects in the region. The visit commenced on May 22nd with a meeting held at the Siddhi Savetsila reception hall, where Dr. Maszlee and his delegation received a warm welcome from the NSC Secretary-General and executives.
Following the reception, a meeting was held to discuss strategies for resolving issues in the southern border provinces, with a specific emphasis on improving Malaysia’s education system for national development. Dr. Maszlee shared Malaysia’s experiences in leveraging technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data, to tailor curricula to the unique needs of individual learners. He emphasized the potential of these tools in facilitating personalized education.
On May 23rd, an academic symposium titled “Malaysia’s Education Policy and Strategy: Lessons Learned and Recommendations for Developing an Inclusive and Balanced Education System in the Southern Border Provinces” took place at the Amari Watergate Hotel in Bangkok. The symposium delved into Malaysia’s education policy, focusing on the STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) education approach. Discussions revolved around enhancing academic and vocational skills in private Islamic schools, creating additional opportunities for higher education, and promoting diverse career paths.
Concluding the meeting, former NSC Secretary-General Prakit Prachonpachanuk commended the symposium’s discussions and underscored their relevance in advancing educational opportunities and fostering harmonious coexistence in the region.
Officials involved in the visit expressed their satisfaction with the highly beneficial and enriching experience, which served to strengthen ties between Malaysia and Thailand. The visit underscored the significance of utilizing education as a powerful tool for promoting peace and building a brighter future for the region.
