January 23, 2026
Local
Local
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 — Two foreign nationals have become the first individuals in Malaysia to be charged in court for littering under the newly enforced anti-littering law, according to a report by The Star.
LANGKAWI, June 20 — Malaysia has put forward a proposal to establish an Asean Institute aimed at consolidating regional expertise across various fields among member states.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir said the proposal was among several key issues discussed during the Asean Higher Education Ministers’ Roundtable held here yesterday.
“Although individual countries have undertaken research at the university level, there is currently no comprehensive institute that serves all Asean nations,” he said during a press conference after the meeting.
He added that Malaysia is ready to host the proposed Asean Institute, leveraging its existing strengths, including through the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (Ikmas) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Zambry also shared that the roundtable explored regional student and academic mobility initiatives, including exchange programmes allowing foreign lecturers to teach in Malaysian institutions.
“In addition, we agreed to set up a dedicated platform for scholarship management known as Asean-GEMS. This initiative aims to mobilise financial support from Asean member states to provide scholarships,” he said.
Launched last night, the Asean Global Exchange for Mobility and Scholarship (Asean-GEMS) serves as a central hub for information on scholarships and mobility programmes across the region. It aims to increase access to educational opportunities for Asean students and foster regional integration through enhanced youth mobility and academic exchanges.
Zambry further noted that other topics discussed included plans to build collaborative networks among Asean higher education institutions and proposals to elevate the roundtable’s outcomes to the Asean Heads of State Meeting scheduled for October.
He highlighted the success of the roundtable in bringing together ministers, representatives, and senior officials from all member countries, noting the positive response from both regional and international participants.
Meanwhile, Dr Shirley Castañeda Agrupis, Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the Philippines, commended Malaysia’s efforts in hosting the event, describing it as a valuable platform for sharing best practices and tackling regional challenges.
She emphasised the importance of harmonising research agendas and ensuring mutual recognition of academic qualifications across Asean, adding, “We dream of a borderless education system, but without standardised curricula, student and faculty mobility remains restricted.”
Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Isesco), Dr Salim Mohammed Al-Malik, also lauded Malaysia’s strong commitment to education and innovation during his visit to the 2025 Asean Ministers of Education and Higher Education Roundtables.
Dr Al-Malik reiterated Isesco’s role in supporting its 53 member states — including Malaysia, a founding member — in promoting advancements in education, science, and culture, especially in developing nations. — Bernama
