Manila: The Department of Education (DepEd) further strengthened its ties with the Malaysian government to boost education opportunities and explore potential scholarships for learners. Education Secretary Sonny Angara met with Malaysian Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino and his delegation on Tuesday to discuss new opportunities that will benefit not only Filipino learners but also the broader Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) community, according to a DepEd news release on Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Angara emphasized the importance of Malaysia as a longstanding partner in education. The proposed Malaysian scholarship programs were identified as crucial in expanding access to higher education for Filipinos, while also fostering regional cooperation, sustainable peace, and economic growth.

The discussions at the meeting centered around advancing bilateral initiatives, including ways to improve the Philippines’ Madrasah Education Program, and the Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) program in public and private Madaris schools in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Angara and the Malaysian envoy also focused on strengthening workforce development through the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). This follows previous commitments by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Ahmad Zahid Bin Hamidi to enhance TVET programs, aiming to increase the global employability of Filipino graduates as discussed in their meeting in October 2024.

Additionally, Angara expressed enthusiasm for revisiting the 2014 Memorandum of Understanding on Education Cooperation, renewed in 2019, to align with emerging priorities. This includes integrating industry-focused initiatives such as the development of the halal sector and strengthening regional collaboration. ‘We will explore new opportunities that will benefit not only our learners but also the broader ASEAN community,’ Angara stated.