Latest news with #TheDiplomaticDispatch
Barnama
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
UK Reaffirms ASEAN Commitment Through FPDA, Security Cooperation
By Nur Atiq Maisarah Suhaimi KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- The United Kingdom (UK) has reaffirmed its commitment to regional peace and stability by strengthening cooperation with ASEAN member states under Malaysia's chairmanship, through international legal frameworks and long-standing defence arrangements. UK High Commissioner to Malaysia Ajay Sharma said this includes the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), a security partnership involving Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as adherence to global norms such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which underpins maritime stability in the region. bootstrap slideshow 'As part of our relationship with Malaysia, we are working bilaterally, regionally and internationally to promote stability and create the conditions for economic growth. 'Through agreements such as the law of the sea, and cooperation with Malaysia and other countries in the region, we aim to ensure that international agreements are respected and that any differences are resolved diplomatically and through dialogue,' Sharma told Bernama after appearing on the Bernama TV programme The Diplomatic Dispatch on Thursday. Established in 1971, the FPDA is a multilateral security arrangement formed in the context of Britain's military withdrawal from the 'East of Suez', to support the defence and stability of Malaysia and Singapore following their respective independence and separation. Since its establishment over 50 years ago, the FPDA has evolved to cover a broader range of security tasks, including air defence, maritime security, and counter-terrorism, as demonstrated in major annual exercises. Sharma noted that ASEAN plays an essential role in fostering inclusive dialogue and multilateral cooperation on regional and global challenges. 'ASEAN is great because it brings together, with ASEAN centrality and inclusivity at its heart, a group of countries that we in the UK can engage with on a range of important issues.
Malaysian Reserve
17 hours ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Envoy: UK opens doors to more Malaysian students amid US policy shift
KUALA LUMPUR — The United Kingdom (UK) is widening its doors to Malaysian students by expanding its university footprint and tailoring academic opportunities to meet their evolving needs. British High Commissioner to Malaysia Ajay Sharma said the UK is ready to welcome more Malaysian students amid shifting global study trends, as the United States (US) tightens its visa policies. 'We want to have more Malaysian students in the UK. We want to have more UK universities here in Malaysia. 'We want to make sure that the educational links get stronger and stronger, but most importantly, that they respond to the needs of people here,' he told Bernama after appearing on Bernama TV's programme The Diplomatic Dispatch here on Thursday. Sharma said that the UK, known for its academic excellence and globally recognised qualifications, remains an attractive destination for higher education and is ready to accommodate students who may be reconsidering the US or other countries due to recent developments. 'We're very happy to welcome more Malaysian students if they choose to come because of what's happening in the US or elsewhere in the world,' he said. According to data from the UK Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) for the 2023/24 academic year, a total of 12,760 Malaysian students were enrolled in UK higher education institutions, placing Malaysia among the top ten non-EU source countries. Recalling his recent discussion with Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Sharma disclosed that they were exploring deeper collaboration and facilitating greater access for Malaysian students to UK institutions. 'We talked about how we can cooperate more on ensuring that Malaysian students are able to take advantage of the opportunities in the UK,' he said. MARA has temporarily suspended the placement of its sponsored students to the US this year following recent changes to student visa policies introduced by the US administration. Asyraf Wajdi said the agency is offering alternative placements in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China and local institutions to ensure students are not affected by the policy shift. The move follows recent directives by US President Donald Trump's administration to tighten international student visa procedures. — BERNAMA
The Sun
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
UK expands opportunities for Malaysian students as US tightens visa rules
KUALA LUMPUR: The United Kingdom is actively expanding educational opportunities for Malaysian students, offering an alternative as the United States tightens its visa policies. British High Commissioner to Malaysia Ajay Sharma confirmed the UK's commitment to strengthening academic ties and increasing student intake. Sharma highlighted the UK's readiness to accommodate more Malaysian students, particularly those reconsidering the US due to recent policy shifts. 'We want to have more Malaysian students in the UK. We want to make sure that the educational links get stronger and stronger, but most importantly, that they respond to the needs of people here,' he said during an interview on Bernama TV's *The Diplomatic Dispatch*. Data from the UK Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) shows 12,760 Malaysian students enrolled in UK institutions for the 2023/24 academic year, placing Malaysia among the top non-EU student sources. Sharma noted ongoing discussions with Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) to enhance collaboration and ease access for Malaysian students. MARA has temporarily halted US placements for sponsored students this year following stricter US visa rules. Chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki confirmed alternative options in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, and local institutions to mitigate disruptions.
Barnama
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
UK Opens Doors to More Malaysian Students Amid US Policy Shift
By Nabilah Saleh KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- The United Kingdom (UK) is widening its doors to Malaysian students by expanding its university footprint and tailoring academic opportunities to meet their evolving needs. British High Commissioner to Malaysia Ajay Sharma said the UK is ready to welcome more Malaysian students amid shifting global study trends, as the United States (US) tightens its visa policies. bootstrap slideshow 'We want to have more Malaysian students in the UK. We want to have more UK universities here in Malaysia. 'We want to make sure that the educational links get stronger and stronger, but most importantly, that they respond to the needs of people here,' he told Bernama after appearing on Bernama TV's programme The Diplomatic Dispatch here on Thursday. Sharma said that the UK, known for its academic excellence and globally recognised qualifications, remains an attractive destination for higher education and is ready to accommodate students who may be reconsidering the US or other countries due to recent developments. 'We're very happy to welcome more Malaysian students if they choose to come because of what's happening in the US or elsewhere in the world,' he said. According to data from the UK Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) for the 2023/24 academic year, a total of 12,760 Malaysian students were enrolled in UK higher education institutions, placing Malaysia among the top ten non-EU source countries. Recalling his recent discussion with Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Sharma disclosed that they were exploring deeper collaboration and facilitating greater access for Malaysian students to UK institutions.
