Beijing: Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir's visit to Peking University served as a platform to expand ties between higher education institutions in Malaysia and China, particularly in joint research, expertise exchange, and student mobility.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) stated that the visit was part of efforts to strengthen Malaysia-China strategic cooperation in higher education, research, innovation, technology, and talent development. The focus was on expanding ties through joint research, exchanges of expertise and academics, student mobility, and developing networks between researchers from both countries.
The efforts are a continuation of Malaysia-China higher education cooperation, further reinforced by a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries and the establishment of a Joint Committee to discuss and advance bilateral higher education cooperation. The ministry highlighted that Zambry made the visit while in Beijing on his way back to Malaysia after attending the 5th Meeting of Russia-Malaysia Joint Commission for Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation (JC-ESTC) in Vladivostok, Russia.
MOHE identified significant potential to strengthen ties between Malaysian universities and leading institutions in China, particularly in strategic and future technology fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), science and technology, computing, innovation, and high-impact research. During a separate visit to the Huawei Beijing Research Institute, Zambry was briefed on the latest developments in Huawei's research and technology, focusing on AI, cloud computing, digital technology, and future talent development.
MOHE noted that Huawei has an extensive network of cooperation with Malaysian higher education institutions through initiatives such as the Huawei ICT Academy, industry training and certification, digital talent development, and technology and research collaboration. The visits to Peking University and the Huawei Beijing Research Institute reflect MOHE's approach to developing a comprehensive international cooperation ecosystem through university-to-university and university-to-industry relations.
The ministry emphasized that strengthening both networks would create more opportunities for Malaysian students, academics, and researchers, while accelerating knowledge sharing, technology development, and innovation, benefiting both countries. Meanwhile, Zambry indicated that university-industry relations should extend beyond training and certification to include strategic cooperation involving joint research, technology development, innovation, AI, high-skilled talent development, and knowledge and expertise transfer.
He further stated that rapid technological advancements require higher education institutions not only to keep pace with industry changes but also to become strategic partners in developing future technologies and talent. This approach aligns with the country's higher education aspirations to strengthen university-industry relations and ensure exposure to world-class technology, expertise, and innovation ecosystems for Malaysian students and researchers.