PM hopes to see Japanese universities in Malaysia
TOKYO: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday expressed hope to see Japanese universities opening their branches in Malaysia to enable Malaysian students to not only be exposed to Japanese education system, but also to learn its culture.
He said Malaysia had sent many students to Japan and they contributed much to Malaysia, but rising costs had made it difficult to send more students.
“The best way is to have Japanese universities in Malaysia. We have been striving to get Japanese universities’ branches in Malaysia.
“As you know, we have Australian and American universities in Malaysia, but no Japanese university,” he said after being conferred an honorary doctorate of philosophy by Tsukuba University at its Tokyo campus here on Monday.
The doctorate was conferred by university president, Professor Kyosuke Nagata.
Dr Mahathir is on a three-day working visit to Japan.
He said it was important to have Japanese universities in Malaysia so that Malaysians could also learn about the Japanese value system and work ethics.
“Under the Look East Policy, we sent many students to study and even work here to learn about Japanese work ethics and value system.
“We have introduced the Japanese education system at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
“When the yen value rose by three times, it became expensive to send students here.”
He said he hoped that Tsukuba University would consider opening a branch in Malaysia.
“It will enable more Malaysian students to study at a Japanaese university. Malaysia can become the centre for Asians to study at a Japanese university without coming here.”