2024年9月19日至22日，国家元首苏丹依布拉欣陛下对中国进行国事访问，为加强马中教育外交提供了绝佳机会。此次访问的一大亮点是将马中两国政府共同设立在北京外国语大学的“马来研究高级访问学者教席”正式更名为“苏丹依布拉欣马来研究高级访问学者教席”，此举反映了两国之间深厚的历史文化联系。马来西亚教育部也将获得更多机会来推进和加强两国之间的教育合作与文化交流。
北京外国语大学“马来研究高级访问学者教席”的更名反映了马来西亚与中国的友好关系源远流长，它可以追溯到马六甲王朝时期。这一举措将为促进中国学者、学生及民众更深入地了解马来文化、语言和历史发挥重要作用；并再次强调了教育作为外交工作和文化交流桥梁的重要性。而国家元首在访问期间造访相关高校，并与马来西亚籍在华留学生亲切互动，也凸显了教育对加强外交关系的重要作用。
除了“苏丹依布拉欣马来研究高级访问学者教席”的更名，此次访问还打开了科技领域合作的大门。国家元首参观中国商飞北京民用飞机技术研究中心，标志著两国未来在航空技术和创新领域合作的巨大潜力，为马来西亚和中国在理工科（科学、技术、工程和数学）教育领域更广泛的合作铺平了道路，并为两国在21世纪关键领域的共同发展提供了宝贵机遇。
以马中建交50周年为新起点，教育部可以实施下列措施来加强马中教育合作。
1. 通过“苏丹依布拉欣马来研究高级访问学者教席”搭建学术桥梁
“苏丹依布拉欣马来研究高级访问学者教席”的设立为深化马中学术交流提供了重要平台。教育部应考虑促进马来西亚相关高校与北京外国语大学开展联合研究计划、学术会议和学生交换项目。这将促进对马来语言、历史和文化的跨文化理解和知识交流，从而加强马来西亚文化在中国的影响力。
2. 通过语言项目拓展文化外交
除北京外国语大学外，中国目前共有包括信息工程大学、中国传媒大学、广西民族大学在内的17所高校开设了马来语专业或课程。教育部还可以探讨与相关高校加强马来语专业发展与课程建设的合作；为赴马来西亚研学的中国学者、留学生提供奖学金，以激励两国学术界更深入的交流合作。此举将扩大马来文化的影响力，建立一个致力于促进马来西亚和中国相互了解与往来的教育网络。
3. 探索科技合作新机遇
鉴于两国科技发展日新月异，马来西亚需要探索与中国在科技领域，特别是航空技术、机器人和人工智能等领域的合作。以国家元首苏丹依布拉欣参观中国商飞北京民用飞机技术研究中心为契机，开展针对相关先进技术领域研究人员和学生的交流项目。这不仅将提高马来西亚的科技水平，还将使两国成为国际教育合作和科技创新领域的先行者。
4.举办双边教育论坛
为了确保教育领域的长期合作与对话，教育部应启动以推动教育外交为重点的马中双边教育系列论坛。这些论坛将为相关各方开展联合研究、课程开发合作、国际学术交流、学者互访及学生互派等提供便利，也将有利于协调教育合作机制与政策制定，确保两国在教育合作与人才交流中互利共赢。（本文译者赵丹）
《以国家元首访华为契机加强马中教育外交》原文：Strengthening Malaysia-China Education Diplomacy through the Sultan Ibrahim Chair of Malay Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University
The recent state visit of Sultan Ibrahim of Johor to China has opened up significant opportunities for strengthening education diplomacy between Malaysia and China. One of the most prominent outcomes of this visit was the renaming of the Malay Studies Chair at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) in honour of Sultan Ibrahim, a gesture that reflects the deep historical and cultural ties between the two nations. The Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) is now presented with unique avenues to build on these advancements and enhance educational and cultural exchange between the two countries.
A Milestone in Bilateral Relations: The Malay Studies Chair at BFSU
The renaming of the Malay Studies Chair at BFSU underscores the long-standing relationship between Malaysia and China, which dates back to the era of the Malacca Sultanate. This initiative will play a pivotal role in promoting a deeper understanding of Malay culture, language, and history among Chinese scholars and students. It also reinforces the importance of education as a tool for diplomacy and cultural exchange. Sultan Ibrahim’s engagement with academic institutions during his visit, particularly his interaction with the Malaysian diaspora in China, further highlights the crucial role education plays in bolstering diplomatic relations.
Technological and STEM Cooperation: A New Horizon for Education
In addition to the cultural significance of the Sultan Ibrahim Chair, the visit also opened doors for technological collaboration. Sultan Ibrahim’s visit to the Beijing Aircraft Technology Research Centre, better known as COMAC, signals the potential for future partnerships in aviation technology and innovation. This sets the stage for a broader collaboration in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education between Malaysia and China, offering both nations the opportunity to advance in fields critical for the 21st century.
Recommendations for Strengthening Educational Diplomacy
As Malaysia looks to build on these opportunities, there are several strategic initiatives that the Ministry of Education can pursue to further strengthen Malaysia-China educational relations.
1. Building Academic Bridges through the Sultan Ibrahim Chair
The establishment of the Sultan Ibrahim Chair offers a platform for deepening academic ties between Malaysia and China. The MOE should consider facilitating joint research initiatives, academic conferences, and student exchange programs between Malaysian universities and BFSU. This would promote cross-cultural understanding and knowledge exchange in Malay language, history, and culture, further solidifying Malaysia's cultural presence in China.
2. Expanding Cultural Diplomacy through Language Programs
In addition to BFSU, MOE could explore partnerships with other top Chinese universities to establish Malay language programs. Scholarships for Chinese students to study in Malaysia would incentivize deeper engagement and foster stronger ties between the academic communities of both countries. Such initiatives would broaden the reach of Malay culture, extending beyond BFSU to create a network of institutions committed to fostering understanding between Malaysia and China.
3. Exploring STEM Collaboration Opportunities
Given the burgeoning technological advancements in both nations, Malaysia should explore STEM collaboration with China, particularly in areas such as aviation technology, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Exchange programs for students and researchers focusing on these cutting-edge fields could be developed, building on the momentum of Sultan Ibrahim’s visit to the COMAC research center. This would not only boost Malaysia’s technological capabilities but also position both nations as leaders in technological education and innovation.
4. Proposing Bilateral Education Forums
To ensure long-term collaboration and dialogue, the MOE could initiate Malaysia-China bilateral forums focused on education diplomacy. These forums would allow stakeholders to discuss shared goals in areas such as curriculum development, student mobility, and collaborative research. Such platforms would provide the opportunity to align educational objectives and policies, ensuring that both nations benefit from a mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and expertise.
