Kuala lumpur: The Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) wants holders of its Malay Studies chair position at foreign universities to function effectively and serve as Malaysia's academic ambassadors in promoting the Malay language and culture internationally. Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir emphasized the need for these positions to actively engage in Malay and Malaysian culture studies for students interested in the field.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Zambry highlighted that the terms of reference for these positions would be reviewed to ensure they are fully functional. One key revision includes conducting Malaysian studies and teaching the Malay language and culture at these institutions. This statement was made following the 2025 Malay Language Academic Awards ceremony, where Zambry reiterated the ministry's commitment to reviewing all Malay Studies Chairs abroad to ensure alignment with national objectives.
'Their role should not be limited to academic work but should also serve as ambassadors introducing Malaysia through its language, culture and Malay studies,' Zambry stated. Currently, the ministry supports academic chairs overseas, including the Sultan Ibrahim Chair of Malay Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University in China, the Tun Abdul Razak Chair at Ohio University in the United States, and the Chair of Malay Studies at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand.
In his speech, Zambry stressed the importance of elevating the Malay language beyond the ministry level, advocating for global promotion through the ministry's Malay Studies Chairs. He mentioned that chairholders act as bridges between Malaysia and the international community by teaching the Malay language and promoting the nation's culture.
'Each chairholder must conduct Malay language classes and introduce Malaysian studies programmes at their respective universities to enhance understanding of Malaysia,' he said. At the awards ceremony, Zambry presented several accolades, including the Malay Language Academic Excellence Award, the Malay Language Academic Rising Star Award, and the Malay Language Technical Sector Award, each with cash prizes, certificates, and trophies.
Assoc Prof Dr Norliza Jamaluddin from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris' Faculty of Languages and Communication received the Malay Language Academic Excellence Award, describing it as the highest recognition from MOHE in her over 20 years as an educator. 'This award reflects MOHE's commitment to elevate the Malay language not only as a medium of communication but also as a language of knowledge,' she remarked.
In addition, Nor Mahani Md Rasidi, winner of the Malay Language Technical Sector Award, expressed that the recognition validated her efforts to integrate Malay into engineering classes. 'Not many people translate engineering terms from English into Malay. I am honoured to help strengthen the language through these translations,' said the senior lecturer at the Mechanical Engineering Department of Politeknik Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin.