23-05-2025
DBP Support Vital To Boost Malay Materials For ASEAN, China
GENERAL
From Kisho Kumari Sucedaram
BEIJING, May 23 (Bernama) -- Continued support from Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) is vital in efforts to increase, diversify and provide Malay-language reading materials for international students, particularly in ASEAN countries and China.
Malaysia's ambassador to China, Datuk Norman Muhamad, said the government remains committed to promoting the Malay language at the global level and stands ready to assist in its development.
'In conjunction with Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship this year, I hope to see the wider use of the Malay language across the region as a means to strengthen ties in friendship, education, trade and cultural exchange,' he said at the opening ceremony and gala dinner of the 5th International Seminar on Translation, Language and Malay-Chinese Culture (SATBBMC V) here last night.
The biennial seminar is jointly organised by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), Education Malaysia Beijing, and DBP.
Addressing the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI), Norman said language learning institutions must seize the opportunity to integrate AI in teaching to make the process more interactive, efficient and widely accessible.
'This will spark greater interest among students to learn and master languages more effectively,' he added.
To date, 17 higher learning institutions in China offer Malay language programmes.
Norman said the growing presence of Malay studies reflects not only encouraging progress, but also symbolises the strong academic and educational ties between Malaysia and China over the past six decades.
