Signed in the presence of the First Lady of Malaysia, the agreement is based on mutual cooperation in the field of talent, it was agreed to strengthen the strategic partnership between the Alliance International Investment and the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in the areas of educational and gifted education in the Gulf region and the Middle East, under the patronage of Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, the Wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
The partnership between the Alliance and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia is long term with the intention to bring the PERMATApintar program to the Gulf. The joint cooperation would focus in developing a strategy for future cooperation in the field of gifted education in the Gulf region, and includes many different levels, including the establishment of centers for training of teachers and parents, schools for gifted children, and the exchange of visits of education missions between Malaysia and the Gulf region.
Alliance International Investments has recently established a division part in the field of gifted education, particularly in the field of rehabilitation of talented students. And due to the belief in the importance of contributing to the improvement and development of the quality of education in the Arab world, and the advancement of human development, Alliance has plans to establish national programs to enhance the national identity of the coming generations in order to progress the civilization of the state through the great leadership to make good citizen.
It is worth mentioning that Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia is considered one of the top five research universities in Malaysia and ranked Top 20 universities in Asia. There is a strategic direction to be the leader in the region in the field of research and academic excellence. UKM established initiatives to promote research and academic capabilities, and cooperation with various organizations. For its part, the partnership aims to support and identify talented students and develop their abilities and push their potentials to benefit their country.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia was established in Kuala Lumpur in 1970, and has 25,525 students, of whom 14,971 students are undergraduate and 10,554 graduate students, including 2,985 foreign students from 57 countries. Foreign students study the Malay language in an attempt to facilitate their daily lives in Malaysia and making adjustment possible.
In line with the motto “inspiring the future and creating possibilities” to attract foreign university students the university offers 170 graduate programmes and research facilities and services using the highest technology. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia receives great support and funding from the Malaysian government.
A joint statement termed the agreement in line with the strategic plan for the gifted; the regional partnership will provide advice to Ministries of Educations and Educational organizations for planning and construction of the curriculum in strategies of gifted and construction of curricula for gifted students, as well as gifted identification tests.
Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, the Patron of PERMATA said that the partnership reflects the commitment of the United Arab Emirates toward the development of talent in the community.
He said that interest of Alliance International Investment, particularly in the education of gifted reflects the importance attached by the United Arab Emirates to identify the unique talents to achieve sustainability in terms of development and competitiveness in the country.
“Each academic year should be better than the previous year, we cannot progress toward a better tomorrow, but if the next generation is better than the current generation,” he said, while quoting His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
“Pointing out that those messages in addition to all the other messages that UAE is always keen to emphasizes its deep belief that education is the cornerstone of the success of nations.”
Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor emphasized that the responsibility of gifted children is all the family members, teachers, researchers, governments and the private sector responsibilities to cooperate together to discuss and promote how to identify those skills and talents and development, pointing out that leaving these talents without care or attention may destroy us to loss the opportunity to develop the potential of these individuals optimally.